5 ms·

Have any anthropologists studied the Darwinian logic of choosing marginal comfort increases over reproducing?

xyzelement 2y ago
I've read your comment a few times now and I chuckle at it every time. Succinct, true, funny. Just wanted to say thanks!
hackable_sand 2y ago
Evolution doesn't rationalize optimal choice. Humans can design their own environments which is fairly dangerous because humans have the choice to gamify, but life isn't a competition. Choosing both, either, or neither of the two options are all valid. And I think that's nice. Memetics are also a consideration.
- jiveturkey42 2y ago
  Sexual selection and reproduction has always been a competition, both in nature and in humans. Choosing not to play is an option, but your genes won't continue
  - hackable_sand 2y ago
    That would imply winners and losers, but nobody wins or loses either way. Reality goes on regardless of who or what reproduces. Even if one's genetics aren't passed on, their memetics do which nullifies the proposition of competition to begin with. You play, you don't play, you win!
    - red-iron-pine 2y ago
      > their memetics do shitposting on reddit is not a net contribution to society. most people work bullshit jobs where the ownership class skims value off the top. tell me, what memes did a peasant in 600AD Hispania, or 1100 Samerkand, leave for us?
      - hackable_sand 2y ago
        The Spanish language for one. Value propositions on memetics is a different discussion anyways so I don't understand how it fits here.
silverquiet 2y ago
I suspect that individuals in either group will be dead in around a century. Might as well enjoy the time you've got, whatever that means to you.
- jiveturkey42 2y ago
  Does your culture not talk about your ancestors choices and successes, and extrapolate that your current choices affect your great-great-[etc]-grandchildren?
  - silverquiet 2y ago
    My ancestors are forgotten to time, as I suspect are most peoples'. How many do you think can name all eight (theoretically) of their great-great grandfathers? I certainly cannot. And that is not exactly ancient history. As far as extrapolating my current choices effect on my descendants, nothing could be simpler; I have none and so there will be no effect on them. This is something that brings me much peace. I do wish that people with or without children would take better care of this planet, since I find the continued degradation of it to be the most depressing aspect of modern life, but I would think that parents in particular would be more future oriented.

I've read your comment a few times now and I chuckle at it every time. Succinct, true, funny. Just wanted to say thanks!

hackable_sand 2y ago

Evolution doesn't rationalize optimal choice. Humans can design their own environments which is fairly dangerous because humans have the choice to gamify, but life isn't a competition. Choosing both, either, or neither of the two options are all valid. And I think that's nice. Memetics are also a consideration.

jiveturkey42 2y ago
Sexual selection and reproduction has always been a competition, both in nature and in humans. Choosing not to play is an option, but your genes won't continue
- hackable_sand 2y ago
  That would imply winners and losers, but nobody wins or loses either way. Reality goes on regardless of who or what reproduces. Even if one's genetics aren't passed on, their memetics do which nullifies the proposition of competition to begin with. You play, you don't play, you win!
  - red-iron-pine 2y ago
    > their memetics do shitposting on reddit is not a net contribution to society. most people work bullshit jobs where the ownership class skims value off the top. tell me, what memes did a peasant in 600AD Hispania, or 1100 Samerkand, leave for us?
    - hackable_sand 2y ago
      The Spanish language for one. Value propositions on memetics is a different discussion anyways so I don't understand how it fits here.

silverquiet 2y ago

I suspect that individuals in either group will be dead in around a century. Might as well enjoy the time you've got, whatever that means to you.

jiveturkey42 2y ago
Does your culture not talk about your ancestors choices and successes, and extrapolate that your current choices affect your great-great-[etc]-grandchildren?
- silverquiet 2y ago
  My ancestors are forgotten to time, as I suspect are most peoples'. How many do you think can name all eight (theoretically) of their great-great grandfathers? I certainly cannot. And that is not exactly ancient history. As far as extrapolating my current choices effect on my descendants, nothing could be simpler; I have none and so there will be no effect on them. This is something that brings me much peace. I do wish that people with or without children would take better care of this planet, since I find the continued degradation of it to be the most depressing aspect of modern life, but I would think that parents in particular would be more future oriented.