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We are not evolutionary automatons, we can override our programming at will. If something that served an evolutionary purpose a million years ago is no longer a
by glesica 13y ago
We are not evolutionary automatons, we can override our programming at will. If something that served an evolutionary purpose a million years ago is no longer an appropriate behavior in our complex, modern society, then we simple don't do it any more.
I occasionally feel compelled to beat the living shit out of someone. This is probably an evolutionary impulse. Those who cross me in the jungle must be eliminated before they eliminate me, etc. But do I go around beating the hell out of people? Not a chance, absolutely never. Why? Because I don't want to live in a society where people solve differences with violence, and I don't feel violence on my part is necessary.
That being said, I definitely "notice" attractive individuals of the opposite sex. I don't harass, stalk, or assault them in any way, but I do notice them. I don't believe this is sexist. However, going up on a stage in front of people and making a joke about "staring at tits" might very well be construed as sexist because it goes well beyond the act of "noticing", and involves a mixed audience who may not all appreciate the concept.
- jerrya 13y agoI haven't said anything about whether the demo was appropriate or not. Just the behavior. If it's an unconscious tick over and done with, much like a blink of an eye than it's not comparable to your beating someone up which would take this hypothetical compulsion of yours and render it into an act spanning minutes. "We are not evolutionary automatons, we can override our programming at will." Let me know how successful you are to not blinking, or not having goosebumps, or not feeling ticklish, not having a reflex, not being averse to certain odors, ...
- glesica 13y agoAs I said, there is nothing offensive about noticing an attractive woman, I even admitted to doing it myself. But that doesn't, in any way, excuse the behaviour that motivated this discussion. That's my point. Even your bringing it up just distracts from the real issues, which are sexism, acceptance of potentially offensive actions, and the casual attitude with which those things are treated.