Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Let's Talk "Visceral"

When you meet someone and there is a chemical, base, visceral reaction to them it's so cool. And then you find out that they don't have that same reaction to you. Sometimes that sucks in a major way and then sometimes it's totally cool. (I don't get that, but whatever.)

But then there are the times when you react to them and they react to you and it's crazy. For a second you're thinking it can't be real. But then it becomes real and it's really more surreal. I totally don't get that.

What do you think it is about us as humans that gives us those reactions and what is it that happens when the other person feels the same way you do?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know, but I agree that the visceral response is overwhelming. It's the same instant click that I refer to as "Love at first sight", except that Love at first sight is a cheesy and very overused way of saying it. It doesn't have to be love or at first sight, but it's very deep and instinctive.

One theory is that the human brain can quickly evaluate several million variables, from clues so subtle that we don't even know what they are. It's the whole 'first impressions' thing. If you find what you're looking for, you'll know it, even if you don't know why.

I think it may be some genetic-level attraction that drives it. More base than animal instincts. It isn't just animal A finds animal B suitable for reproduction based on good looks or muscles or wide, child-bearing hips. Not everyone finds the same features equally appealing. At the genetic level, the organism 'knows' what it needs to fill in its gaps. A certain set of features (not just physical ones) will yield more viable offspring when crossed with one's own DNA.
One example I have that is worth considering: I am drawn to girls with strong, thick (and usually not straight) teeth. Why would mis-aligned teeth be a turn-on? Because I have the 'straight-teeh' gene. But my teeth are very weak and fragile, so I need to crossbreed with someone who has the 'strong-teeth' gene. Anyway, it's just a crackpot theory that I have, but worth consideration.

SerenitySprings said...

I think it's an awesome theory. Definitely one to consider. I guess as evolved beings we assume that we are capable of choosing partners based on rational ideas so when we find ourselves at that base level it really can be overwhelming. But nice. I wonder, though, if it is possible to make such a visceral relationship actually work or if - once the newness wears off - it'll just fizzle?

Anonymous said...

Are you talking about anyone in particular? Or just in general terms?

SerenitySprings said...

Mostly just in general. I just find it interesting that the connections we make with people can be so strong and some of them are for "right now" and some of them are for a lot longer.