Why do humans think stuff is cute?

[RadiusXd]

Because back when we were monkeys, possums, ect we found our baby possum/monkeys/watever, equally cute. Besides, you gotta be ready for whatever quasimoto comes out ya girlfriend!

 

[Sonofadiddly]

I think human babies make Uncle Fester look cute, but I sure do like baby animals.

When a human baby cries; it's annoying. When a baby animal squeaks for attention/food; it's addorable.

That's because it's not your baby, so you're competitive desire to pass on your own (and only your own) genetic material has you more inclined to kill and eat the thing than care for it.

You are not in direct genetic competition with non-humans, so baby animals are cute.

But if the parent of a baby found the baby's crying to be cute, wouldn't the parent be unmotivated to alleviate the baby's distress? Finding a baby's cry to be annoying is a much better motivator to care for it.

An animal squeak sound is closer to a happy sound from a baby than a baby's crying. That's why animal squeaks are adorable.

 

[likalaruku]

I think human babies make Uncle Fester look cute, but I sure do like baby animals.

When a human baby cries; it's annoying. When a baby animal squeaks for attention/food; it's addorable.

That's because it's not your baby, so you're competitive desire to pass on your own (and only your own) genetic material has you more inclined to kill and eat the thing than care for it.

You are not in direct genetic competition with non-humans, so baby animals are cute.

Heh, I probably WOULD eat a baby. "Try everything once" they say.

 

[inglioti]

I read in a book once that baby cuteness was evolutionary favourable because it increased the bond formed between mother and baby. I suppose most mammals have something similar, as most mammal young are adorable as well.

Oh, as well, I think a lot of what makes a baby cute are hardwired to make people go all mushy - big, bright eyes, squishy cheeks, large heads, helplessness... all play a part in the survival of the species. Ugly babies (well... less than able ones) used to get thrown off cliffs in Sparta, anyway.

 

[slipknot4]

I don't think stuff is cute. Especially not baby's, they smell, scream and every time i see one I can't think of anything else but how good it would feel to kill it, I'm just sayin'
Op, I think it's because someone told us that it the thing in question is cute.

 

[Vrex360]

Studies have been done. It has to do with the proportions of an infant triggering maternal/paternal instincts, so if other things remind us of those proportions (generally, larger eyes, small delicate features, etc.) then we're programmed to find them "cute".

What he said, a lot of it is reflected on what is written in our DNA and animal instinct that we are meant to find 'cute' as part of the parental defensive instinct.

 

[Ickorus]

It's a biological imperative to stop us from killing/abandoning those annoying little creatures known as babies.

 

[Jack_Uzi]

Maybe this will explain a bit, don't know. I found it interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc7g&feature=channel

 

[zombiejoe]

Honestly, I don't find babies to be cute in any manner whatsoever. They drool over themselves, defecate and urinate upon themselves, and are just disgustingly riddled little beings. Sure, you may argue that they can't help it, but it doesn't argue with the fact that baby puppies and kittens are way fucking cuter than a nasty little human child.

WOW, I just noticed how many people hate human babies...wow, evolution f*&(ed up this time. (lol)

 

[DigitalSushi]

Studies have been done. It has to do with the proportions of an infant triggering maternal/paternal instincts, so if other things remind us of those proportions (generally, larger eyes, small delicate features, etc.) then we're programmed to find them "cute".

What he said, a lot of it is reflected on what is written in our DNA and animal instinct that we are meant to find 'cute' as part of the parental defensive instinct.

Thats weird because I find the Arbiter cute, and he doesn't conform to any "cute-ness" in standard human infant forms, small eyes, odd long legs, dangerous weapons... all are things that human babies seem to lack.

Still I'd feel alot safer at night if he was to tuck me into bed.
Sush; "Arbiter there's a spider in the bathroom"
Arbiter; *activates energy sword* "Its dead now"
Sush; "I love you arbiter"
Arbiter; "I love you too Sush, sweet dreams"

 

[Brandon237]

Parasitic creatures have evolved to have pleasant forms that reminds of our human kin (which we are obligated to protect to further our species) so we naturally feel like we want (or have to) care for them. This is a theoretical statement I thought of just now.

This is true, it is not our evolution, it is THEIRS.

Ahh, isn't that parasitic tick so adorable

My cat isn't a parasite, he just takes my food, my money, my time and gives his presence back, that is not a parasite... It is a part of a symbiotic relationship... I need his presence.

 

[not_the_dm]

Because to identify if said "stuff" is a baby we look at several parameters such as head/eye size, head/body ratio and so forth. These parameters can be applied to more than one creature, therefore if stuff has baby features (and possibly some others we've grown to like), our mind instantly recognizes it as cute.

Damn. Ninja'd by the first reply.

 

[InnerRebellion]

I think with human babies, it's a paternal/maternal thing. There are people that love babies, so they should really be the ones who have children, because they can actually care about them.