Re: Misunderstanding (Re: Emacs-devel Digest, Vol 44, Issue 67)

[Dieter Wilhelm <dieter@duenenhof-wilhelm.de>]

"Eric S. Raymond" <esr@thyrsus.com> writes:

> The looks connection, BTW, comes from the fact that the two most
> important beauty/handsomeness traits -- good skin and feature symmetry
> -- are indicators of a robust immune system.  In fact, that's *why*
> beauty is sexually important.  And immune-system function is probably
> *more* closely connected to creativity and genius than most other
> aspects of physical health; the relevant tissue systems are closely
> related, both being elaborations of the embryonic ectoderm.

This is only a part of the whole picture, otherwise more individuals
of humankind would have become more beautiful and intelligent at the
same time.  Fortunately for, I maintain, most of us beauty and
intelligence are not all-important for reproduction.

For example, one anomaly might be that good/healthy looking men tend
to leave more often their mating partner and it might be advantageous
even for beautiful women to procreate and have a lasting relationship
with an uglier one (Mr Nice Guy maybe) to heighten the chances to rear
their offspring to sexual maturity.

Hmmm, thinking of it, when such a female is a bit unfaithful now and
then, her offspring might carry better genes and chances.  This is, of
course, only a theoretical thought.  All in all, it remains
interesting and a trifle more complicated...  Uppps, what has this to
do with Emacs?

-- 
    Best wishes

    H. Dieter Wilhelm
    Darmstadt, Germany