Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 09:17:26 +0200
From: "Gatherer, D. (Derek)" <D.Gatherer@organon.nhe.akzonobel.nl>
Subject: RE: astrology-talk behavior
To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Richard:
Talking about signs is one easy way for a man to create a bit of rapport
with a woman, which gives him an edge in the mating game. (The "speed
seduction" that Aaron has been promoting is an extreme form of creating
rapport using various techniques.) If she brings it up, an argumentative
dismissal will likely kill the deal with most personality types (although,
of course, it takes all kinds...). So a man who has discovered that being
seen as agreeable increases his chances will end up talking about astrology
if a woman brings it up.
Derek:
Yes, I agree entirely, but that is surely essentially a genetic effect
rather than a cultural one. Admittedly, some children do seem to have to be
taught to be sociable, and adults can learn to be more socially effective
etc.., but in general our capacity for successful interaction is largely
something that has been produced by evolution in the rather longer (and
therefore rather more genetic) term.
So I'd rephrase the above as..... "seen as agreeable increases his chances
will end up talking about [any subject] if a woman brings it up."
Richard:
Once a man gets the idea that women are interested
in astrology -- and my personal experience is that most seem to be, even if
just "for fun" -- he will bring it up himself.
Derek:
I agree again. I'd wonder why so many women are interested in astrology,
but I agree that the result you specify would apply - for reasons of
genetic advantage.
Richard:
The result is that more conversations about astrology occur as a result of
men's desire to score with women.
Derek:
Take out the 'more' and I'd agree with you. I don't think we can say that
more will occur. Maybe one individual man will use it more, if he is
succesful, [Game theory again], but there is no way that we can say that the
overall social frequency will increase, unless of course it really is more
successful than other openeing gambits.
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