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

@LouisIngenthron

So started a poll here: qoto.org/@freemo/1112962894151

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.

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@LouisIngenthron there is nothing remotely scientific about such a poll, and yea there will be bias for sure.

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