3 ms·

This particular change is getting attention, but the trend is well-known: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny#In_domestic_animals https://en.wikipedia.org/wi

This particular change is getting attention, but the trend is well-known: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny#In_domestic_animals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny#In_domestic_animals We breed animals for bigger eyes and other features to make them cuter--to make them look more like babies.

war1025 6y ago
Related, humans have a bunch of neotenous features. There is even a Wikipedia article on it [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny_in_humans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny_in_humans
- kipchak 6y ago
  One theory is that humans self-domesticated while selecting for those who were more agreeable to living in civilization, similar Bonobos which also retain additional neotenous features. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tame-theory-did-bonobos/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tame-theory-did-b...
kipchak 6y ago
I wonder if perhaps in addition to bigger eyes being cuter and therefore preferable, we're able to form bonds with animals more easily as a result of larger eyes- or perhaps more broadly that large eyes can be advantageous for social bonding. Dogs and their owners engaging in mutual gazing causes similar Oxycontin release to mother-infant gazing. I think ideas like the eyes being a "window into the soul" are related, and we're more likely to be able to determine if someone is trustworthy and genuine as indicators like pupil size are involuntary. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-gaze-from-those-big-puppy-eyes-the-look-of-your-doggie-s-love/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-gaze-from-...
- AdmiralAsshat 6y ago
  Entirely possible. I was taught the concept admittedly in a humanities course about Middle Eastern archaeology, and it was boiled down by the professor to, "We made our pets look cuter, more like babies. This made us feel more paternal towards them."

war1025 6y ago

Related, humans have a bunch of neotenous features. There is even a Wikipedia article on it [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny_in_humans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny_in_humans

kipchak 6y ago
One theory is that humans self-domesticated while selecting for those who were more agreeable to living in civilization, similar Bonobos which also retain additional neotenous features. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tame-theory-did-bonobos/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tame-theory-did-b...

kipchak 6y ago

I wonder if perhaps in addition to bigger eyes being cuter and therefore preferable, we're able to form bonds with animals more easily as a result of larger eyes- or perhaps more broadly that large eyes can be advantageous for social bonding. Dogs and their owners engaging in mutual gazing causes similar Oxycontin release to mother-infant gazing. I think ideas like the eyes being a "window into the soul" are related, and we're more likely to be able to determine if someone is trustworthy and genuine as indicators like pupil size are involuntary. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-gaze-from-those-big-puppy-eyes-the-look-of-your-doggie-s-love/ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-gaze-from-...

AdmiralAsshat 6y ago
Entirely possible. I was taught the concept admittedly in a humanities course about Middle Eastern archaeology, and it was boiled down by the professor to, "We made our pets look cuter, more like babies. This made us feel more paternal towards them."