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<span id="zyzz"></span>[[File:Buff.jpg|thumb|right|One popular sex icon for men: Zyzz, died young of sudden cardiac arrest from too much steroid use to make himself look hyper-masculine. He was not a [[reproductive success]].]] | <span id="zyzz"></span>[[File:Buff.jpg|thumb|right|One popular sex icon for men: Zyzz, died young of sudden cardiac arrest from too much steroid use to make himself look hyper-masculine. He was not a [[reproductive success]].]] | ||
'''Fisherian runaway''' is a mechanism by which sexual | '''Fisherian runaway''' is a hypothesized mechanism by which sexual selection can lead to exaggerated and sometimes even [[Maladaptiveness|maladaptive]] ornamentation and may play a role in the evolution of [[beauty]]. It has been hypothesized that species can become extinct due to runaway sexual selection,<ref>https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1365-2656.12601</ref><ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1691875/</ref><ref>https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180411131646.htm</ref><ref>https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-04059-7</ref> which is a popular meme in the [[manosphere]] used to argue women's mate choices may be maladaptive. The name derives from the originator of the concept, Ronald Fisher, the 20th century British statistician, geneticist, eugenicist and racialist. | ||
In the [[manosphere]], Fisherian runaway is often misunderstood to refer to individuals exaggerating their appearance as lifestyle choice, but it actually refers to ''evolving'' more exaggerated appearance over many generations. But the sexual preferences that result from that can motivate body modifications like breast enlargement, hormone supplements and bodybuilding. | |||
== Mechanism == | == Mechanism == | ||
[[File:Peacock courting peahen.jpg|alt=|thumb|"The females may be dull looking, but they're very picky." A peacock courting a peahen]] | [[File:Peacock courting peahen.jpg|alt=|thumb|"The females may be dull looking, but they're very picky." A peacock courting a peahen]] | ||
Fisherian runaway is a feedback loop occurring over many generations, in which the one sex (either male or female) becomes more choosy about a heritable trait for the simple reason that it will make the offspring more attractive. As the the choosiness for the trait increases, the selective pressure to prefer the trait increases too, forming a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_feedback_loop positive feedback loop]. In response to the increased choosiness, the other sex evolves to enlarge, overcomplicate or beautify that trait in efforts of becoming more attractive. The exponential nature of positive feedback loops exerts a strong selection pressure that can, in theory, even overcome the selective pressure for survival itself and hence lead to extinction. For example, exaggerated traits may reduce mobility and increase vulnerability to predators and to sudden environmental changes. | |||
Such feedback loops can be initiated by arbitrary aesthetic selection, but also when a trait is slightly otherwise correlated with fitness (e.g. health), or when a trait is similar in appearance to attractive or otherwise valuable objects or body parts.<ref>Fuller, R. C., Houle, D., & Travis, J. 2005. ''Sensory Bias as an Explanation for the Evolution of Mate Preferences.'' [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/444443 Abstract]], p. 444</ref> For example, women's breasts may have evolved to mimic their buttocks because the latter was already a sexually attractive body part before humans developed upright posture, and then Fisherian runaway may have lead to breasts becoming increasingly larger and increasingly attractive to men. | |||
In summary, beauty could have evolved simply by sexual selection, i.e. mate selection favoring objective [[beauty]] (simplicity). But feedback loops as mentioned above may have exaggerated aspects of it, leading to increased sexual dimorphism and amplified and narrowed the attraction to specific kinds of beautiful phenotypes. This also stabilizes the phenotype, making it harder to adapt to environmental changes. Any sort of sexual dimorphism, whether behavioral or ornamental likely tends to get reinforced by such feedback loops because sexual dimorphism is inherently attractive.<ref>https://incels.wiki/w/Scientific_Blackpill#Even_chickens_prefer_sexually_dimorphic_human_faces.2C_to_the_same_extent_as_humans</ref> | |||
Since females are [[Bateman's principle|more choosy]] in many species throughout the animal kingdom (including humans), the males tend to be more ornamented. | |||
Another mechanism that could explain exaggerated ornament and the immense sexual attraction to it, is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicap_principle Zahavi's handicap principle], also called ''good genes hypothesis'' which claims that exaggerated ornament is a costly and hence reliable signal of other desirable traits. For example, a peacock with a very large tail would be easy prey (which is costly), hence must likely have other good traits that make up for it enabling his survival despite his handicap (good genes). There is, however, little supporting scientific evidence. In humans in particular, beauty is not strongly correlated with health at all, and even less with cognitive ability.<ref>https://incels.wiki/w/Scientific_Blackpill#Attractive_people_are_perceived_much_more_positively_than_they_really_are</ref> Neither do human sexually dimorphic traits seem to be particularly costly (except for tallness and large female breasts). | |||
== | == Animal examples == | ||
It is clear sexual selection can decrease fitness, but there are only few experimental result demonstrating evolutionary suicide and the role of sexual selection in historical extinction events is entirely hypothetical.<ref>https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/239/is-there-any-evidence-that-sexual-selection-may-lead-to-extinction-of-species</ref> | |||
Theoretic models suggest runaway selection .<ref>"Sexy to die for? Sexual selection and risk of extinction" by Hanna Kokko and Robert Brooks, Ann. Zool. Fennici 40: 207-219. [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/23736526 Abstract]]</ref> | |||
=== Peafowls === | === Peafowls === | ||
For example, in peafowls, the males evolved to have extremely large plumage, most likely due to persistent female preference for large plumage, strengthened by Fisherian runaway. The narrow preference the peahens have for large plumage caused the peacock's plumage to become absurdly large, hindering its mobility to evade predators, and also requiring a lot of energy to grow and maintain. | |||
=== Sabre Tooth Tigers === | === Sabre Tooth Tigers === | ||
It has been hypothesized that Fisherian runaway selection contributed to the demise of the Sabre-tooth Tiger, by which female Sabre-tooths preference for males with long fangs resulted in a Fisherian runaway occurring, which led to the tiger's teeth becoming so large they became a liability, hampering the beast's ability to feed itself, and most likely led to frequent infections from the brittle, comically large teeth breaking. | |||
=== Irish Elk === | === Irish Elk === | ||
The Irish elk has been proposed to have gone extinct from female selection giving way to Fisherian runaway. The female Irish elk preferred male Irish elk with large horns. Eventually this preference created a feedback loop that resulted in Irish elk eventually evolving to carry 12 ft (3.6 m) wide horns, which is 3.3 ft (1 m) longer than its height. Energy requirements for Irish elk antler growth were 75% as large as the energy requirements for fat and protein deposition. The enormous amount of calcium required to grow the antlers resulted the calcium being depleted from most of the body causing a state like similar to osteoporosis.<ref>"Sexy to die for? Sexual selection and risk of extinction" by Hanna Kokko and Robert Brooks, Ann. Zool. Fennici 40: 207-219. [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/23736526 Abstract]]</ref> | |||
<gallery mode="packed" widths="400" heights="200"> | |||
File:1920px-Male Peafowl (Peacock) at China National GeneBank, Shenzhen.jpg|A male Peafowl with completely useless plumage | |||
File:Skull of Sabre-Toothed Tiger - Museum of Anthropology - La Paz - Baja California Sur - Mexico (23835305595).jpg|Skull of the Sabre-Toothed Tiger | |||
File:Irish Elk Side.jpg|Skeleton of the Irish Elk | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Guppies === | |||
Biologist John Endler conducted an experiment with Guppies (''Poecilia'') in a tank without predators. The female fish selected males who had strong contrast to the background as they stood out during mate selection. This then made the fish more visible to predators later reintroduced into the same tank.<ref>https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-015-7682-6_7</ref><ref>http://www.dartmouth.edu/~robertcox/Teaching_files/lecture9.ppt</ref> | |||
This example is not neccessarily related to feedback loops, but clearly demonstrates that sexual selection does not necessarily further and can even ''reduce'' survival. Related to this, one study showed men who have lots of sex were not healthier than others by various metrics.<ref>http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/1/160603</ref> | |||
== Humans == | == Humans == | ||
[[File:1MnqnOm.jpg|400px|thumb|right|The preference for [[few millimeters of bone|few millimeters of bone, cartilage and hairline | [[File:1MnqnOm.jpg|400px|thumb|right|A morph of [[eggman]]. The narrow preference for ornamentation in shape of [[few millimeters of bone|few millimeters]] of bone, cartilage and hairline could have evolved based on aesthetic sexual selection, but may also have been strengthened by feedback loops in sexual selection.]] | ||
Even though human females are more choosy in accordance to [[Bateman's principle]], both sexes are ornamented. Women have [[Boobs|permanently swollen breasts]], an hour glass shaped body etc., men have a V-shaped upper body, more toned muscles, beards, very large penises compared to other great apes, and [[:Category:Aesthetics|various other features]].<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1090513810000279</ref> Both sexes have clearly defined [[Hairline|hairlines]] and very clear skin. None of these features have survival value besides being good looking, so they're likely sexually selected, likely mostly by aesthetic selection common to many higher animals,<ref>https://www.apa.org/monitor/oct06/pretty</ref> and possibly by feedback loops like Fisherian runaway and sensory bias,<ref>Fuller, R. C., Houle, D., & Travis, J. 2005. ''Sensory Bias as an Explanation for the Evolution of Mate Preferences.'' [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/444443 Abstract]]</ref> leading to exaggeration and strengthened sexual dimorphism.<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1090513810000279</ref> Though dominant and masculine features like large beards and a deep, intimidating voice may also serve the intimidation of other males.<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1090513810000279</ref><ref>http://larspenke.eu/pdfs/Kordsmeyer_et_al_2018_-_Intra-_vs_intersexual_selection_on_human_males.pdf</ref> | |||
Women are likely mainly ornamented because throughout history, [[Chad|alpha males]] could freely choose among many women, could produce a large number of children and evidently repeatedly chose women with pronounced secondary sexual characteristics such as [[tits|big boobs]] and [[Butt|booties]].<ref>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2010.02.005</ref> Men are of course ornamented because ''all'' women are choosy. | |||
While it is not proven that feedback loops were involved in shaping human ornament, or just sexual selection without feedback, it is certainly plausible, especially considering the importance people place on good looks. It could explain why people undergo great risks and costs merely for improving their looks, e.g. by surgeries, diets or steroid intake (see [[#zyzz|Zyzz's photo]]). It could also explain the phenomenon of being ''stunned'' by someone's appearance, as well as "love on first sight" and [[oneitis]]. | |||
Various members of the [[MRA]] hypothesized that the increasingly dimorphic beauty standards that men are expected to have just to get a date in a sexually liberated online [[dating]] environment may be the beginning of a Fisherian runaway or intensification of existing ones. Only a very small percentage of men are being chosen, and it's the men with the most sexually dimorphic traits: cartoonishly large muscles and frame, with no selective attention paid to traits like loyalty, intelligence, etc. | |||
This also results in an even higher competitive environment among men without physically sexually dimorphic traits, and men with [[dark triad]] traits getting even more to win female attention, exaggerating a trait which arguably became [[Maladaptiveness|maladaptive]] after civilization and the industrial revolution. Of course this possibility is a concerning trend even without Fisherian runaway possibly intensifying such selection patterns in future generations. | |||
Men's rights activist [[Warren Farrell]] warned of such a thing in 1993, in his book, [[The Myth of Male Power]], warning women that their preference for and [[Cheerleaders|encouragement]] of, "hunter-killer", "star quarterback", type men could cause the extinction of the human race with the arrival of nuclear technology. He also claimed that since civilization and the industrial revolution [[dark triad]] traits have become maladaptive, as the traits which foster a healthy society have switched from might-makes-right individual brutality, to [[Nice guy|cooperation, intelligence, empathy]] etc. | |||
Research on sexual selection theory by Puts (2010) also suggests that women's preference for psychopathic men may have been a result of sexual selection.<ref>https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07418825.2016.1216153?journalCode=rjqy20</ref><ref>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2010.02.005</ref> | |||
== Sexy son hypothesis == | == Sexy son hypothesis == | ||
The sexy son | The sexy son hypotheses was also proposed by Fisher and is merely a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corollary corollary] of Fisherian runaway regarding men's beauty. It simply states that the positive feedback loop makes men's beauty so attractive that women are willing to choose a beautiful male regardless of other considerations such as morality or ability to provide, because the males' beauty—which is partly heritable—confers on their offspring a potential reproductive advantage. | ||
Since women depended on men's provision, only a [[Chad|tiny percentage]] of men is so good looking that they can make up for this (around 4%).<ref>https://incels.wiki/w/Scientific_Blackpill#Men_like_61.9.25_of_female_profiles.2C_women_like_only_4.5.25_of_male_profiles</ref> | |||
There is indeed [[Scientific_Blackpill#Women_are_less_likely_to_use_a_condom_with_a_more_attractive_male_partner|compelling evidence]] of this behavior. Of course men also more readily copulate with beautiful women, but men have less [[Bateman's principle|parental investment]] and hence do not need to care as much about such considerations. Further, women's ability to provide does not matter nearly as much as men's and women also largely lack this ability (at least they did before the invention of modern welfare states). Hence, women's behavior of disregarding the ability to provide merely at the benefit of better looking offspring has much more drastic implications and may be a socially parasitic adaptation. | |||
The male equivalent is raping a sexy woman (to produce sexy daughters as vehicle of your own genes). Both are risky strategies, irresponsible and both parasitic as they depend on others providing on the offspring (in modern societies via taxes). Engaging in [[alpha fuxx, beta buxx]], the woman risks not being provided for. Engaging in rape, the man risks death and exile. But provided some do engage in these strategies, better looking offspring apparently can make up for these risks on average (in terms of evolutionary fitness). | |||
<gallery mode="packed" widths="400" heights="400"> | |||
File:Gigachad500.jpg|Typical human male after 500 years of unconstrained female sexuality | |||
File:Zbw18s1551o31.png|… and after 1000 years. The multiple heads are very prone to breaking off and becoming infected. Higher disagreeableness provokes wars | |||
</gallery> | |||
<center><youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUEkwrK9R3M</youtube>Men's preference for large female breasts is also under runaway selection, encouraging women to enlarge their breasts</center> | |||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||