I don't agree with your thesis that certain ideals of beauty are influenced so much by genetics/evolution. Example: survival was an athletic endeavor and women with D+ breasts would have been gravely hindered. Some theories popular in evolutionary psychology are too subjective to be considered real science. I think that what is "attractive" is more influenced by socialogical factors than your article would lead someone to believe, but more than one theory can be reasonably presented.
What is more worth discussion is the anectodal example of your roommate, Oxana, and the issues it raises.
Our culture produces adults who rarely develop emotionally beyond adolescence; this factors greatly into how we approach courtship and what we think is attractive.
From what you write, Oxana gives the impression that she prefers men who are confident, relaxed and sincere; however, she attends nightclubs where she is likely to meet men who, at best, try to fake this. From what I know about the club scene, Oxana is probably able to bypass the lines and is not required to pay a cover charge--a courtesy often extended to Las Vegas' legitimate showgirls.
Why do showgirls catch this break?
Is it because community minded management worries that busy, overworked showgirls might become severely socially stunted without their help?
Is it because having showgirls in regular attendance attracts sensible, sincere men in search of engaging conversation?
No. It is because hot single girls attract men who will fork over lot's of cash to try to impress and hustle them into short term, intimate relationships.
I am not attacking Oxana or trying to embarrass her--she sounds like a solid, smart woman; if it were not for the lines I would spend more time in clubs. Maybe Oxana has already addressed this in her own life, but many have not: when looking for honest, sincere companionship, look elsewhere.
Try volunteering, or at least attending, regional Special Olympics events. (I'd even bet that Oxana is somewhat athletic and her help would be greatly appreciated. Plus, it's fun.) I'm not saying a person should do this merely to cruise for intimate companionship, or that Special Olympics is the only alternative, but finding one's self in a different setting with different company would be personally rewarding and beneficial in many ways.
Maybe you would be interested in writing a much needed book about the subject; one that counters the "how to be a dirtbag" manuals you cited in your article--something that might give more than one theory about what is attractive and why, as well as a guide to where and how to find the types of people we want to believe we'd like to meet. That last part could be done as a compilation of a series of articles.
Contact me if you want to hear more ideas about this. You have an appealing literary voice and I'm sure it would be a successful endeavor for you.
I don't agree with your thesis that certain ideals of beauty are influenced so much by genetics/evolution. Example: survival was an athletic endeavor and women with D+ breasts would have been gravely hindered. Some theories popular in evolutionary psychology are too subjective to be considered real science. I think that what is "attractive" is more influenced by socialogical factors than your article would lead someone to believe, but more than one theory can be reasonably presented.
What is more worth discussion is the anectodal example of your roommate, Oxana, and the issues it raises.
Our culture produces adults who rarely develop emotionally beyond adolescence; this factors greatly into how we approach courtship and what we think is attractive.
From what you write, Oxana gives the impression that she prefers men who are confident, relaxed and sincere; however, she attends nightclubs where she is likely to meet men who, at best, try to fake this. From what I know about the club scene, Oxana is probably able to bypass the lines and is not required to pay a cover charge--a courtesy often extended to Las Vegas' legitimate showgirls.
Why do showgirls catch this break?
Is it because community minded management worries that busy, overworked showgirls might become severely socially stunted without their help?
Is it because having showgirls in regular attendance attracts sensible, sincere men in search of engaging conversation?
No. It is because hot single girls attract men who will fork over lot's of cash to try to impress and hustle them into short term, intimate relationships.
I am not attacking Oxana or trying to embarrass her--she sounds like a solid, smart woman; if it were not for the lines I would spend more time in clubs. Maybe Oxana has already addressed this in her own life, but many have not: when looking for honest, sincere companionship, look elsewhere.
Try volunteering, or at least attending, regional Special Olympics events. (I'd even bet that Oxana is somewhat athletic and her help would be greatly appreciated. Plus, it's fun.) I'm not saying a person should do this merely to cruise for intimate companionship, or that Special Olympics is the only alternative, but finding one's self in a different setting with different company would be personally rewarding and beneficial in many ways.
Maybe you would be interested in writing a much needed book about the subject; one that counters the "how to be a dirtbag" manuals you cited in your article--something that might give more than one theory about what is attractive and why, as well as a guide to where and how to find the types of people we want to believe we'd like to meet. That last part could be done as a compilation of a series of articles.
Contact me if you want to hear more ideas about this. You have an appealing literary voice and I'm sure it would be a successful endeavor for you.
Either way, I like your article.