Youth Obsession: it's biological!

This is a blog post that's about to dive headfirst into the whimsical world of Neoteny, a peculiar phenomenon that'll make you understand why we humans obsess about youth.

Neoteny – the fancy term that scientists throw around to explain why some creatures never seem to outgrow their adorable childhood phase. Think about those puppy-dog eyes, those irresistible chubby cheeks, or that teeny-tiny kitten that struts around on YouTube. I mean, who could possibly resist the allure of eternal youth, right? Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of why this whole Neoteny business has managed to stick around evolution's playground.

Why did we stay childish?

This fascinating phenomenon has a two-fold effect on our species, leaving its whimsical mark on both our physique and our psychology.

In this blog we will talk about the physique – oh, those baby-like features that stick with us well into adulthood!

In the second part about Neoteny we will look at why our brains needed to stay young and sprightly, like those child-like minds that keep coming up with silly dance moves and terrible jokes at family gatherings. Hint: It's all part of nature's grand plan to keep us flexible, especially when it came to mastering language – and more recently, all the amazing technological advancements. Which by the way are here because some scientists and engineers wanted to keep playing and breaking the rules.

Youth Obsession is not just for primates

But hey, we're not the only ones who went all-in on neoteny. Just look at our four-legged friends – those adorable dog breeds that practically ooze cuteness! Thanks to our selective influence, they've embraced neoteny with wagging tails, puppy eyes, and a whole range of charming behaviors.

Puppy eyes are a killer

Why women need(ed) to look cute!

And now let's make a link to the wacky world of human mating! Here's the scoop: women found themselves in a competition with each other in their search for the perfect mate. They started getting creative with their external traits (this was not yet conscious like today!)! It wasn't just about attracting any ol' male for a quick fling – they needed the kind of guy who would stick around, protect, and nurture their offspring and keep coming back with food when she was tied up with the kiddies.

Youthful is attractive

So, as the wheel of sexual selection spun faster and faster, we found ourselves in a self-feeding, self-reinforcing cycle of neoteny and choosiness. Every generation became a little more adorable, a tad more choosy, and a whole lot more endearing. It's like a never-ending carousel of cuteness, with each loop making us fall in love with ourselves even more!

Plastic surgery trends explained

You only need to look at the plastic surgery and makeup trends to realise that Neoteny rules our aesthetic senses.

We crave those oh-so-petite and button-like noses, delicate and perfectly proportioned to the rest of the face, exude a sense of vulnerability that sets our hearts aflutter.

Big eyes that we keep focusing on with lashes, eyeshadows and liners. Or evening our skin to a dewy perfection - sounds familiar?

And what about those rosy, cherubic cheeks? They're like irresistible marshmallows, begging to be squished, and their presence makes us want to protect and care for the bearer of such cuteness.

Our beauty standards are Neotenous

Neoteny adorns some women with plump, pouty lips that give off a playfully innocent vibe. And if the natural lips are not plump enough, then look at the multi billion industry in lip injections!

Now, I mustn't forget about the crowning glory - a cascade of luscious, flowing hair that epitomises youthful radiance. Extensions anyone? Whether it's golden like the sun, dark as midnight, or any hue in between, the allure of Neoteny is complete when accompanied by this mesmerising mane.

All fuzzy inside

Sexual selection was like a wild race, and the human females went all in when evolving into a mature version of their childish selves. And guess what? It wasn't just a random beauty pageant – oh no! This cute transformation was adaptive because it worked like magic, triggering those warm and fuzzy feelings of tenderness and protectiveness in some males. It's like women unleashed their secret weapon of irresistible cuteness, and the guys couldn't resist being all soft and gooey inside!

Men got selected too

Men got selected for their preference for Neoteny

He is a super nice guy!

But wait, there's more! It's not just the females who had a say in this crazy game of love. Female choosiness played a major role – they had the power to choose the most tender-hearted and caring males. And boy, did that turn out to be a genetic jackpot! The guys who won the "most tender and caring" trophy got their genes rewarded with a big thumbs-up from evolution!

Female choosiness played a major role – they had the power to choose the most tender-hearted and caring males.

And what about childish behaviour?

But it doesn't stop there! Neoteny also works its magic on our psychology, giving us the gift of child-like wonder and flexibility. Our minds stay open and receptive, like a playground for endless curiosity and learning.

Childishness is good!

It's like our brains refuse to grow up, staying mischievously young at heart, forever ready to explore new ideas and embrace the wonders of the world.

So, there you have it – the delightful dance of neoteny, making us the neotenous clan of apes with a physique that's cuteness personified and minds that remain young, playful, and ever-so-receptive. It's a magical combo that keeps us forever intrigued by life's mysteries, while also making us simply too adorable to resist!

Cheers to neoteny, the charming mastermind behind our endearing physique and our delightfully youthful psychology!

References: David Brin's Ph.D in Physics from the University of California at San Diego www.davidbrin.com/nonfiction/neoteny1.html