6 ms·
Seeking financial security != gold digging. It's not sexist or derogatory. Financial security and status are evolutionary concepts that predate the diamond dis
by dylangs1030 14y ago
Seeking financial security != gold digging.
It's not sexist or derogatory. Financial security and status are evolutionary concepts that predate the diamond district. Diamonds are just one manifestation of a deeper, hardwired instinct to seek fit and capable mates.
This isn't a cynical concept, it's backed by studies of the entire animal kingdom, not just humans.
- astrodust 14y agoThere are better ways to demonstrate your capability as a provider and evidence of financial security than buying diamond rings. For example, demonstrate you can care for a dog goes a long way. Owning and maintaining a house even further. A friend of mine got married. He could've bought his wife an extravagant engagement ring, but he put it to her in different terms, along the lines of: "Would you like an expensive ring, or what about something symbolic and we'll put the rest into a down-payment on a better house?" They didn't squander tens of thousands on a wedding, nor went on a lavish honeymoon. They started out with money in the bank and a hefty down-payment made on a new house, not credit-card debt.
- hackinthebochs 14y agoWhy do people insist on citing outliers as if that somehow negates the trend? It really derails and otherwise productive discussion. Yes, for every general rule there are always outliers. It's so obvious that it serves no useful purpose to state it explicitly.
- darkarmani 14y agoHe wasn't negating the trend. He was saying there are better ways to satisfy the evolutionary pressure than buying diamonds.
- astrodust 14y agoThe perception that an expensive diamond is required is flawed. I'm trying to illustrate that it's an institution that's crumbling. I really doubt that a significant percentage of those under ten will even bother with a diamond ring when at the age where they'll be getting engaged. By then they'll either be so saddled with student debt as to make the purchase impractical, or they'll be working two minimum wage jobs just to get by.
- roel_v 14y agoPlease, keep your "friend of mine" anecdotes out of generally intelligent discussion.
- cookiecaper 14y agoI don't know that anything "financial" qualifies as an evolutionary concept.
- dylangs1030 14y agoFinancial no, because that's one derivation of a greater desire - to find a fit mate. Fitness indicators change and trend between civilizations. Right now, with the predominance of capitalism, having a lot of "stuff" or access and ability to acquire "stuff" means you're a worthy sexual partner.