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Why are we genetically programmed to find animals so cute? I would think as an omnivore finding your food cute would be counterproductive.
My hypothesis is that we are supposed to eat meat as a last resort and prefer vegetables. So their cuteness acts as a deterrent so we prefer them less...
Though the fact that meat tastes so good would seem to be a counterargument to that theory...
@freemo The reason, as I understand it, is because the animals we tend to find cute have similar facial proportions to human babies (i.e. big eyes). Cats fit this pattern especially.
@LouisIngenthron While there might be some truth to that I find things cute that are completely foreign to human likeness. In fact I find most animals, even insicts, to be cute.
Also if this truely is a disadvantage to wanting to eat them I would think our brains would have created some extra barriers.
@freemo Okay, well I think you might be in the minority there, lol
So started a poll here: https://qoto.org/@freemo/111296289415112384
It is very early but so far 80%+ think all animals, including insects, are cute :)
@freemo Mastodon may not be the most impartial place to hold that particular poll, lol, but I am interested to see the final results.
@LouisIngenthron there is nothing remotely scientific about such a poll, and yea there will be bias for sure.
@freemo Looks like it came out pretty balanced, lol. Neither of our claims are well-supported. I was expecting much more of a blowout.
@LouisIngenthron indeed, interesting
@LouisIngenthron Perhaps, but its not as unusual as it sounds... I do know lots of people that find almost all animals to be cute. maybe ill do an informal poll to see how much in the margins I really am :)