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ORIGINAL: shiftyw

I guess I feel like we've all strayed so far from that- why should this be different?
We're at the top of the food chain- what is he protecting me from at this point?

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ORIGINAL: IIapetus

Hmmm, well my theory:

In social terms, yes, a long, long way. As for the deepest and most primitive parts of the brain - the fight or flight stuff (amygdala, I think?) - our brains are still in 'breed, hunt and gather, and be alert for Panther attack' mode. When you consider why we love bathing in hot water - not exactly an experience the average cave dweller would have been familiar with, save a hot spring - you remember our love of heat, be it from another body, or the fire you just knocked up with a stick and some kindling, was the way we survived. Heat = survival = we enjoy heat. It shaped our evolution, and explains why we love the hot stuff to this day. Long since the threat of actually freezing to death - for the most part - has left our everyday existence, by means of our societal constructs. I think the desire for a strong mate to protect/strong genes to offspring (f>m), and baby-making-capability indicators (m>f) are still very much in play. As much as our 'higher brain' might dislike the notion that a part of the brain that evolution left behind is influencing our behavior to such an extent, and all without us even being conscious of it. But if it ain't broke, evolution ain't gonna fix it.


I also recall reading that this part of the brain is where a lot of olfactory/sense of smell processing is based. Which would explain why that particular sense is somewhat unusual. The whole "what's that smell" fuzzy feeling, versus the much more precise and instant sight and sound recognition process of the 'higher brain'.

(Anyone with additional biology knowledge, please do chime in and/or give me a science smack down :p)

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ORIGINAL: shiftyw

We're at the top of the food chain- what is he protecting me from at this point?

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ORIGINAL: GoddessManko

I believe you're quite right, about the olfactory side of things, as well as "fight or flight", lol. The law of attraction happens very subliminally, as evolved as we may be, sometimes it's a matter of"chemistry", varying forms of stimulus...mental, visual, conceptual and tactile. And the greatest of all of those is olfactory. Pheromones can affect the brain as well as the nervous system quite easily. Attraction is still very primal at its core.
My psychology teacher at a time I didn't believe it said human beings "need sex". I am sure this theory can be proven in different microcosms. I metaphorically imagine not satiating such a "need" like that of any other. Time is the enemy and can be comparative to a jack in the box, or a panther looking at prey, eyes dilated. Very here and now. Perhaps such an analogy will help you along. Rules for attraction would make sense if it derived from the ego or superego but it all comes from the id, the most basic instinctual reaction. Several factors may play a part of initial attraction beyond that but feelings of fear, excitement and such cause a pheromone release once the stimulus is there. Romantic or not.
The more instinctive, the less rational and the greater the desire. Intimate encounters are very here and now, even for those who live in foresight or hindsight.
Larger men are perceived to be the stronger men because it is depicted as such in nature, but that is not the case with our species, one of the greatest strengths a man can have is mental fortitude. That too can bring about a desired result against larger counterparts. But fortitude and primal attraction is still the underlying theme.

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ORIGINAL: IIapetus

Thanks GoddessManko, some very interesting points. A psychology smack down, if you will.

I actually never went in for psychology as a discipline. The competing theories felt a little too much like a room full of blindfolded men dancing around in the dark. But something I'll certainly do some further reading on. As your post demonstrates , it informs the topic.

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ORIGINAL: GoddessManko

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ORIGINAL: IIapetus

Thanks GoddessManko, some very interesting points. A psychology smack down, if you will.

I actually never went in for psychology as a discipline. The competing theories felt a little too much like a room full of blindfolded men dancing around in the dark. But something I'll certainly do some further reading on. As your post demonstrates , it informs the topic.

No, the theories all have substance, it's a matter of perspective. Many people have taken the Jung personality quiz and found it can explain their personalities to a surprising degree. Also when it comes to neurology, that goes beyond psychology, then we're speaking physical science of how the brain works vs intangible factors.

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ORIGINAL: FelineRanger

At 5'6", I am a short man and I honestly don't care one way or another. It doesn't stop me from approaching a woman taller than I am.

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ORIGINAL: EmpressElsa

I have found no correlation between the quality of a sub and his physical stature. Sometimes shorter subs are easier, logistically, to get into certain positions though.

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ORIGINAL: PeonForHer

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ORIGINAL: EmpressElsa

I have found no correlation between the quality of a sub and his physical stature. Sometimes shorter subs are easier, logistically, to get into certain positions though.

Short femdoms, though - that's an entirely different story. Very bad tempered, from what I've seen. It's always short femdoms who start threads on 'do-me male subs', from what I've seen.

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Don't make fun of my threads!

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ORIGINAL: PandoraFoxxx

I think a lot of what people consider attractive in the opposite sex stems from the primal side of things. Women are very biologically driven, and I personally think that wanting a "taller/larger" partner has to do with wanting someone who can protect his mate and family from saber tooth cats. Silly, yes, but probably partially true. We are animals, whether we want to throw up the "we're civilized n shit" smoke screen or not. A duck is a duck.

I have always preferred men taller than I, which isn't that difficult since I am about 5'2 on a good day.

I think better subs make better subs - has nothing to do with height.