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naraburns  nihil supernum  1yr ago (text post)   4655 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for February 26, 2023

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So I watched a tiktok about increased neoteny due to the domestication of humans and how it parallells the domestication of animals. The guy in the tiktok was arguing that an increasing number of males today are not physiologically male because they haven't been stressed enough. He notes that on a trip to Disneyland his school filled with affluent and comfy kids looked much younger compared to the poorer and more stressed out inner city kids.

My question is how come this never happened to me? I grew up in the city surrounded by crime, always stressed about being robbed, murdered etc. School was somewhat similar. Yet I still have a baby face.

Because his theory isn't very good.

I mean human males are getting more neotenous, but I don't think it's from lack of stress. In fact a lot of that neoteny is deliberately chosen- more men are removing their body hair for whatever reason these days, for example. And enough ink has been spilled on extended adolescence it doesn't make a ton of sense to spill more.

Are we sure that this isn’t simply about not being exposed to the elements much? Keeping to some basic skincare and not working outside everyday under rain and sun and wind keeps you looking much younger. Also I wouldn’t be surprised if women are getting more neotenous as well

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