Ask HN: Did cuteness evolve as a response to parental neglect?

2 amichail 4 8/5/2025, 7:11:04 PM

If so, doesn't this reflect poorly on parents in particular and life in general?

Comments (4)

ofalkaed · 1h ago

Did coolness evolve as a response to parental neglect? I think this is mostly what it is, a general slang for approval, awe, etc, which is deeply tied into the zeitgeist. Cuteness was a very different and far more specific thing when I was growing up, but maybe I am just old.

pavel_lishin · 1h ago

Oh, it's this user. Alright.

I don't think it was in response to - but perhaps cuter babies got slightly better care than less-cute ones. It's not the same thing as "in response to parental neglect".

baxtr · 1h ago

I am no expert on this but I know there’s been a lot of research on this topic. Look up "attachment theory" for example.

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Ask HN: Did cuteness evolve as a response to parental neglect?

Comments (4)