When I was single, I was also into high tech but had a lot of friends who I hung with on the college football team (e.g. my roommate was the kicker). I actually had a cell phone starting in 1994 ...
So my friends all picked on my for having my moto analog flip phone in a leather holster on my hip, they always picked on me and I laughed back at them ... it is me dude we are each are own person.
The funny thing was nearly every night when the bars closed, and we were going to the after party and after-after parties, who was the most popular? Me. Why? I could call ahead, so you know what that met biologically :)
One woman said that is kind of wierd ... who would want to have a phone on their hip that will never take off ... :) ... now think about that [I also have similar comments about surfing on the mobile phone with internet from 1999-2004 in bars, raves, and clubs in the Bay Area.
So the story share combined with your "most excellent article" **, is the layers you talk about with leks and other aspects where the uber beautiful meet up to mate, slight "surprises" always came out in the shadows.
The mating and dating interplay is so highly complex and given expanded access for women and those that are alternative, the levels of complexity is infinite.
That's really interesting, and I think you have a great point there. Part of all these layers is also about (defying) expectations. We can't underestimate the element of surprise ;).
One thing that’s not mentioned, behind the unexplored door of “culture” is a dance itself. I think this article should have that front and center. Social evolution has created a dance and rhythm-based behavior, our hormonal cocktail changes significantly, we build trust and find mates based on that all the time.
It’s quite well researched and documented, and nightclubs and similar venues are based on that much more than lekking.
If you dance with your partner, just two of you, at night, you’ll feel it all - with or without sunrise. 🌅
True. Though I'd argue that a lot of current nightclubs are not that conducive to dancing, rather shuffling around a bit - like you say, "just the two of you" is probably a(n even?) better context... The lekking metaphor was mostly to introduce the problem of using 'lekking' for human behavior, so I agree with you entirely ;). Still, dancing is a behavior that we often see in animal leks, so I don't think it's lek vs. dance. Male birds, for example, often dance in a lek to attract females.
(Now I also want to look more into the science of dance.)
At this point, I feel like if someone asked me “what’s your favorite piece on Subtle Sparks?” I wouldn’t be able to choose (though this one would be tied with others at the top of the list)! I just love your style, and I learn so much!
Thank you for this piece. I also just want to share that pop evolutionary psychology parallels like Jordan Peterson’s to lobsters aren’t even true of all lobsters. I wrote about this, and the animals we choose (or don’t) as exemplars of human behavior here:
Is it just me... But how do people communicate in nightclubs? The times I tried and all I got was miscommunication over thumping bass. WANNNA DRINK. NO I DONT SWIM. NO DRINK. AT THIS HOUR?
Good post. You had fun writing it; I had fun reading it. We might be groot but, as you say, we're not lek. Perhaps another thing missing from that comparison is the predatory nature of human males. They're hunting, too.
When I was single, I was also into high tech but had a lot of friends who I hung with on the college football team (e.g. my roommate was the kicker). I actually had a cell phone starting in 1994 ...
So my friends all picked on my for having my moto analog flip phone in a leather holster on my hip, they always picked on me and I laughed back at them ... it is me dude we are each are own person.
The funny thing was nearly every night when the bars closed, and we were going to the after party and after-after parties, who was the most popular? Me. Why? I could call ahead, so you know what that met biologically :)
One woman said that is kind of wierd ... who would want to have a phone on their hip that will never take off ... :) ... now think about that [I also have similar comments about surfing on the mobile phone with internet from 1999-2004 in bars, raves, and clubs in the Bay Area.
So the story share combined with your "most excellent article" **, is the layers you talk about with leks and other aspects where the uber beautiful meet up to mate, slight "surprises" always came out in the shadows.
The mating and dating interplay is so highly complex and given expanded access for women and those that are alternative, the levels of complexity is infinite.
Great article!
** Think Bill and Ted :D
Thanks!
That's really interesting, and I think you have a great point there. Part of all these layers is also about (defying) expectations. We can't underestimate the element of surprise ;).
"biology is fun" is basically my motto ^^
Excellent analogy honestly, I guess that's why I hate clubs !
Thanks, Vincent!
You and me both. ;)
One thing that’s not mentioned, behind the unexplored door of “culture” is a dance itself. I think this article should have that front and center. Social evolution has created a dance and rhythm-based behavior, our hormonal cocktail changes significantly, we build trust and find mates based on that all the time.
It’s quite well researched and documented, and nightclubs and similar venues are based on that much more than lekking.
If you dance with your partner, just two of you, at night, you’ll feel it all - with or without sunrise. 🌅
True. Though I'd argue that a lot of current nightclubs are not that conducive to dancing, rather shuffling around a bit - like you say, "just the two of you" is probably a(n even?) better context... The lekking metaphor was mostly to introduce the problem of using 'lekking' for human behavior, so I agree with you entirely ;). Still, dancing is a behavior that we often see in animal leks, so I don't think it's lek vs. dance. Male birds, for example, often dance in a lek to attract females.
(Now I also want to look more into the science of dance.)
At this point, I feel like if someone asked me “what’s your favorite piece on Subtle Sparks?” I wouldn’t be able to choose (though this one would be tied with others at the top of the list)! I just love your style, and I learn so much!
Thanks so much! I'll add this to the review wall of my lil' booth.
Thank you for this piece. I also just want to share that pop evolutionary psychology parallels like Jordan Peterson’s to lobsters aren’t even true of all lobsters. I wrote about this, and the animals we choose (or don’t) as exemplars of human behavior here:
https://doctrixperiwinkle.substack.com/p/wisdom-of-doves
Absolutely, that's a great point. I'll check out your post.
(And thanks for reading!)
Is it just me... But how do people communicate in nightclubs? The times I tried and all I got was miscommunication over thumping bass. WANNNA DRINK. NO I DONT SWIM. NO DRINK. AT THIS HOUR?
What? What? I can’t hear you!
(Good thing nightclubs are about looks rather than words…)
The moment when you realise your bright and beautiful plumage is all internal.....
If only people had X-ray vision…
Loved this piece. A really entertaining and interesting read.
Thank you, Tory!
Loved the style of this piece! A perfect blend between science and storytelling with a dollop of humor. I learned a lot, I laughed, I got depressed.
Thanks, Monica.
(Also, oh no, circle back to laughter quickly!)
Good post. You had fun writing it; I had fun reading it. We might be groot but, as you say, we're not lek. Perhaps another thing missing from that comparison is the predatory nature of human males. They're hunting, too.
Or at least they try to tell themselves that they are ;).
Thanks, Wyrd!
This was such an interesting read!
Thanks, Yashvardhan!
Well this was an absolute delight of a post!
Well thanks for such a delightful comment, Danielle!
Delight abounds!
This is such an interesting article! And hammers home the reason why I hate nightclubs lol
Thanks, Lucy. I think there's reason people get drunk in there - it's unbearable otherwise. 😆