Evolutionary mystery: In most species, the males are bright and colorful in hopes of attracting a mate (example: birds). But in humans, females are more likely to wear makeup, jewelry, etc. I’d think males would wear makeup to get the attention of females. Any theories?
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Really wonderful question. I like some of the ideas other ppl have proposed in this thread (e.g. signaling among women). Another thing to throw in the mix is that ~monogamy in farming/industrial societies throws off the traditional ev. bio dynamics.
I think there are very traditional (hunter–gatherer type) societies in which men _are_ the primary peacocks, do most of the body adornment, etc. (Maybe @Evolving_Moloch can confirm/disconfirm?)
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Under conditions of strict monogamy AND where men control all the resources AND where resources are the main bottleneck for long-run reproductive outcomes, I think you should see women competing and advertising for the attention of (wealthy) men. But I’m not sure/it’s complicated
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Thanks Kevin. Always appreciate your insights.
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IMO peacock analogy increases confusion. Both men+ women often do various sorts of body adornment in small-scale societies, but usually in rituals, ceremonies, feasts, dancing etc (and they're not infrequently sex-segregated). Adornment often not about courting cross culturally
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Wodobe tribe in Senegal is well-known for this. Men being visually underwhelming boring strikes me as a remarkably recent, post-industrial phenomenonpic.twitter.com/q7qBKyFkI7
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