3 ms·

Even if you add that and other hunter-gatherer positive qualities, those don't apply in modern society as much either. Today the frail rich nerd wins, for the m

Even if you add that and other hunter-gatherer positive qualities, those don't apply in modern society as much either. Today the frail rich nerd wins, for the most part (or at least their ability to kill a man wit their bare hands matters a lot, lot less).

thoms_a 5y ago
I was wondering how far I had to scroll down to find one person (on HN no less) finally stating the obvious. Thor could be 8ft tall and able to lift to a house. It won't save him from a drone swarm designed by a nerd at Lockheed.
- xeromal 5y ago
  I don't think anyone is arguing who has greater modern power. I think people are just arguing if the preferences are created through upbringing or do they come from something more innate in our biology.
  - chrischen 5y ago
    They come from messages broadcast in media culture, and people saying disparaging remarks about height non-chalantly. All these things are malleable.
    - xeromal 5y ago
      Why would our ancient ancestors in the middle east and elsewhere use large men as their examples of powerful men who attain women and treasure?
xeromal 5y ago
Agreed. I'll also say though that we have these preferences and a lot of them are hardwired. Some come from upbringing but our brains looking for symmetry in a face or perhaps certain features on men or women come from our DNA. I find women of a certain size and shape attractive. That doesn't mean I can't find other kinds of women attractive, but you're doing the argument a disservice if you don't think at least some of our preferences are innate.
- chrischen 5y ago
  I think many people over attribute to innateness what is likely caused by childhood upbringing and conditioning over time, which can feel like its innate. See this article about an isolated tribe that has developed an ability to see shades of green other humans cannot: https://gondwana-collection.com/blog/how-do-namibian-himbas-see-colour?hs_amp=true https://gondwana-collection.com/blog/how-do-namibian-himbas-... Even if part of it is genetics, it shows even that is easily malleable therefore manipulatable for long term goals.
  - xeromal 5y ago
    I appreciate this comment and you're probably right at least with me. It's hard to define the lines between genetics and upbringing or maybe a combination of both!

thoms_a 5y ago

I was wondering how far I had to scroll down to find one person (on HN no less) finally stating the obvious. Thor could be 8ft tall and able to lift to a house. It won't save him from a drone swarm designed by a nerd at Lockheed.

xeromal 5y ago
I don't think anyone is arguing who has greater modern power. I think people are just arguing if the preferences are created through upbringing or do they come from something more innate in our biology.
- chrischen 5y ago
  They come from messages broadcast in media culture, and people saying disparaging remarks about height non-chalantly. All these things are malleable.
  - xeromal 5y ago
    Why would our ancient ancestors in the middle east and elsewhere use large men as their examples of powerful men who attain women and treasure?

xeromal 5y ago

Agreed. I'll also say though that we have these preferences and a lot of them are hardwired. Some come from upbringing but our brains looking for symmetry in a face or perhaps certain features on men or women come from our DNA. I find women of a certain size and shape attractive. That doesn't mean I can't find other kinds of women attractive, but you're doing the argument a disservice if you don't think at least some of our preferences are innate.

chrischen 5y ago
I think many people over attribute to innateness what is likely caused by childhood upbringing and conditioning over time, which can feel like its innate. See this article about an isolated tribe that has developed an ability to see shades of green other humans cannot: https://gondwana-collection.com/blog/how-do-namibian-himbas-see-colour?hs_amp=true https://gondwana-collection.com/blog/how-do-namibian-himbas-... Even if part of it is genetics, it shows even that is easily malleable therefore manipulatable for long term goals.
- xeromal 5y ago
  I appreciate this comment and you're probably right at least with me. It's hard to define the lines between genetics and upbringing or maybe a combination of both!