mechanicusdeus:tharook:mechanicusdeus:[…]“The concept of gendered “things” is biologically in
mechanicusdeus:tharook:mechanicusdeus:[…]“The concept of gendered “things” is biologically innate. The “gender spectrum of stuff” (for dire want of a better term) perpetuates itself; it’s not a societal thing.”“The concept of gendered “things” is biologically innate.”There’s so much else in that comment that I would disagree with, but I’m just stunned by this.Wow.Allow me to clarify:I do not mean to argue that objects have their own genders. I mean that many objects and concepts are innately associated with either the male or female gender. These associations are usually present in tandem with evolutionary gender roles.As a brief example, weapons and tools are usually considered to have masculine connotations, because warring, hunting, felling (and so on) are traditionally male occupations. By contrast, vegetation (such as fruit and flowers) have associations with the feminine, because females are traditionally gathers (and plants bearing fruit is often used as a metaphor for females bearing children, but i digress).So what does this have to do with scented candles? Well, floral or fruity smells are considered feminine, because they are related to what females - in the state of nature - do all day on behalf of the tribe. By contrast, musky smells like sawdust, wood-smoke, and (in the modern age) things like motor oil are considered masculine, because they are associated with what males do for the tribe.For men to like masculine scents is naturally beneficially, as it means they will intentionally pursue environments (and therefore work) which produce such a smell. The same goes for women and feminine scents. This is good, as it mean both sexes do what they are best at, and therefore contribute in the best way possible to the tribe.Both sexes also know that possessing a strong scent which matches their gender - and making their environments smell the same - makes them more appealing to the opposite sex.This is very brief, but it’s a proof of concept.Oh, don’t worry, that’s exactly what I thought you meant.Wow. -- source link