[Nerd Laugh] The Science of Cute!

by Meg on February 27, 2009

The Chicago Blog is reportin’ on the Science of Cute. They forgot a few of the rules of cuteness, but other than that, it’s a good report.

Margie T., you are a suuuuuuuper nerd, thank you

{ 3 trackbacks }

Unusual Baby Gifts
02.27.09 at 1:13 pm
Crystal Bunny Blue
02.27.09 at 1:13 pm
Unusual Baby Gifts
02.27.09 at 1:13 pm

{ 87 comments }

1 temperance 02.27.09 at 1:29 pm

highly educational, indeed, for the lay person. but for CO peeps, it’s old news…

2 DewiCasgwent 02.27.09 at 1:30 pm

Clearly they missed out getting this reseach peer reviewed, clearly next time it should be submitted to Profs Frost and Theo first.

3 Bobel 02.27.09 at 1:33 pm

Baby kitty go meeeeeoooooooow. *brain explodes*

4 Crayola 02.27.09 at 1:47 pm

OMG. Never thought I’d see my school on CO! Awesome.

5 Von Zeppelin 02.27.09 at 1:53 pm

This would be more scientific if it had voiceover narration like those 1950s Britannica Educational Films. Also some scratches and projector lens dust.

6 Gail (the first one) 02.27.09 at 1:59 pm

I wonder if there’s an proficiency test for this….I could get a degree!!!!

7 lori 02.27.09 at 2:03 pm

kittehs! puppehs! pnandahs!
that’s not science, that’s wmotional blackmail. of course we’re gonna believe the “science” because they blinded us with ADORABLE!!!aaaaaaahhhhhhhh, too much!

8 lori 02.27.09 at 2:04 pm

see — can’t even type from the overload!

9 Hon Glad 02.27.09 at 2:09 pm

Gosh we could all get degrees in teh cute.

10 revolution724 02.27.09 at 2:21 pm

Oddly, I could look at kittens all day, but I don’t like human babies at all.

11 Theresa 02.27.09 at 2:28 pm

Whoa, inappropriate puppies. ;)

12 divinebluesky 02.27.09 at 2:47 pm

“popsci” looks an awful lot like “pasickie” :)

13 Juno 02.27.09 at 3:04 pm

Harumph.

I’ve always had a big head and a soft round body, and I don’t see people overloading on MY cuteness.

Maybe I should try waddling.

14 Juno 02.27.09 at 3:07 pm

Theresa: What could be more appropriate? Boy on top, girl on bottom–even the missionaries would approve! ;)

15 Katrina 02.27.09 at 3:20 pm

No video for Katrina, aaaaaaaaaaaalllll gaaaaaaahn.
I’ll take your word for it.

16 Deckard Canine 02.27.09 at 3:22 pm

Let’s not forget to put this under Kittens, Pups, Bears, and Birds as well.

17 DumBunny 02.27.09 at 3:39 pm

It’s my birthday, and I’ve waited all week to see what cute animal would be on the CO calander for my birthday. What do I get? Just my luck, an opossum, probably the least cute animal on the planet. Even the WartHog is cute when it’s little, opossum’s are just plan ugly all the time.
(Sorry, through ’nuffing’ now, been sick all week, going back to bed.)

18 Patito Gigante 02.27.09 at 3:47 pm

I am fascinated that COers unanimously support the “human child resemblance” theory of Cuteness while simultaneously insisting that human children are not cute. There is something very interesting going on here. Is there a social anthropologist in the house?

19 Lorel J 02.27.09 at 3:50 pm

Hey. dey took it down! Grrrrrrrrruff!

[Er... no, it's still working... - Ed.]

20 kk3 02.27.09 at 4:02 pm

revolution724: I am with you!!!

21 catloveschanel 02.27.09 at 4:06 pm

I am going to make like a Panda and pedomorphize because it’s my birthday and I’ve never, ever been this old before. Ugh. Course, I’ve never been this cute before, either.

22 Katrina 02.27.09 at 4:23 pm

catslovechanel-if properly managed, cute is timeless and ageless, as you are finding out. Happy Birthday!

I saw the video, thank you to whomever fixed it.

Yes, that kitteh is pure cute- the sound almost got me to run out of the house and get one, I had a hard time believing it is part of out reality, but then I do look ‘up’ quite often.

I am not a Golgafrinchin, nor have I ever sanitized a telephone.

Have a great day, Peeps!

23 DumBunny 02.27.09 at 4:23 pm

What happened to my post, it wasn’t that bad? So, I don’t like Opossums, Take my post and shot me why don’t you. And I’m still sick, and it’s still my birthday.

24 Theo 02.27.09 at 4:32 pm

Happy Birthday, DumBunny. Feel better.

25 Gail (the first one) 02.27.09 at 4:32 pm

@catloveschanel: Happy Birthday!!!!!

26 Theo 02.27.09 at 4:38 pm

…er, happy birthday DumBunny AND CatLovesChanel. Feel younger.
;)

27 superboymom 02.27.09 at 4:58 pm

I loves ALL the babies in that video, but ESPECIALLY the human baby . . . those cheekers!

28 Yitzysmommie 02.27.09 at 5:06 pm

Wunnerful vid and I too love all babies, especially hooman babies. So there!

29 Paunchie 02.27.09 at 5:24 pm

Mew! d’awwww

30 chanpon 02.27.09 at 5:27 pm

I remember studying this in Psych class too, but I was so distracted by the cute animals that I couldn’t pay attention to what the professor was saying.

31 tank 02.27.09 at 5:43 pm

The pug segment is the best part

32 lucy 02.27.09 at 5:57 pm

the kitty looks like brain from pinky and brain!

33 Alison 02.27.09 at 6:08 pm

Oh my goodness!! o_0
When the kitten made that sound I actually squealed out loud…I…I think I may have overdosed on cute in just that one moment…

34 Theo 02.27.09 at 6:10 pm

Kitten miews are deadlier than Kryptonite.

35 Alice Shortcake 02.27.09 at 6:13 pm

I can’t take the “infantile characteristics” argument seriously. I love kittens, puppies and most animals but I find baby humans utterly repulsive.

36 Isaac 02.27.09 at 6:13 pm

so why is it that baby animals are so much cuter and adorables than baby humans? Evolution may have gotten too smart for itself on that one.

37 Decca 02.27.09 at 6:14 pm

Lucy, I was going to make a Pinky and the Brain reference too. Anybody remember the episode where Brain figures this all out and makes himself extra cute so that he can take over the world? He got big fake blue eye and a wig with blond ringlets and became a child star. Luckily for us, his evil plan did not work.

38 claudia 02.27.09 at 6:15 pm

I love how the woman filming the pugs realizes what she has just said ;) and stifles giggles.
Oh and alll the babes are cute and I believe our predilection for baby anything is due to BOTH of what Lorenz and Morris argue.

39 berthaservant 02.27.09 at 6:17 pm

I studied pedomorphosis in school as well. IIRC…

“As he woke up from a night of unsettling dreams, Gregor Samsa rose to discover that he had transformed into an adorable panda bear.” (Franz Fluffka)

40 Michelle S. 02.27.09 at 6:38 pm

I once had a date take me to my favorite nice restaurant. He took a bite of food, chewed, then began gagging and spitting food all over his plate, howling “Grrrrossss! a Mushroom!” so loud the entire place turned to look. He wiped his tongue with a napkin just like Tom Hanks in Big, then proceeded to announce to me, the wait staff, and anyone within earshot how disgusting mushrooms are and how much he hated them.

That’s what you baby-hater nuffs remind me of. Seriously.

41 Lisa (one of several) 02.27.09 at 6:51 pm

Thank you Michelle S. for your totally spot-on analogy.

All of these babies were very cute!

42 skip 02.27.09 at 7:04 pm

Analysis is cute, too!

43 David (the first one) 02.27.09 at 7:21 pm

This reminds me of all those evolutionary psychology explanations. Your mind may for a second go ‘ah huh, that seems to makes sense.” But it is completely distracted and overwhelmed by the helpless meow the next. As per usual this latest attempt at unweaving the rainbow results in fail.

44 katiedid 02.27.09 at 7:25 pm

Well that explains alot … but… how come animals in sun spots are so freakin cute!?!?!?!

45 revolution724 02.27.09 at 7:38 pm

Huh, really, Michelle S.? Because I read it just as having stated an observation and a preference calmly. I guess I don’t see where the overblown exaggeration comes from.

46 PH 02.27.09 at 7:48 pm

Michelle:

Untwist your maternity panties.

Seriously.

47 Michelle S. 02.27.09 at 8:06 pm

revolution724:

No? You don’t see how comparing someone who inappropriately announces to an entire gathering how repugnant they think something is to someone who inappropriately announces to an entire gathering how repugnant they think something is? Hmm. Okay. I stand corrected.

And PH: I don’t have maternity panties, but thanks for the tip. I don’t particularly care for babies either, I just don’t feel the need to publicly howl about how disgusting they are whenever one pops up in front of me.

48 superboymom 02.27.09 at 8:16 pm

. . . proudly and firmly twisting maternity panties in place where they belong . . . ahh, now that’s better!

49 Gail (the first one) 02.27.09 at 8:17 pm

Hey, anybody “seen” Silent Meow lately?

50 Melissa 02.27.09 at 8:23 pm

Talk about hyperbole, Michelle. Revolution724 said “I don’t like human babies.” Nothing inappropriate, no howling or use of the word disgusting. Chill.

51 Juno 02.27.09 at 8:48 pm

There’s some master baiting going on here, folks, but you don’t have to bite. The ones who consider themselves ‘anti nuffers’ will never ever recognize that they are the problem–may as well just ignore them.

52 Boomer's Babysitter 02.27.09 at 8:58 pm

Um… hate to point out the obvious, but Revolution724 wasn’t the only poster who commented in the negative about human babies. “Utterly repulsive” is pretty strong wording. I’m of the opinion, not that anyone asked, that human babies are cute enough, as long as I don’t have to take one home.

53 Boomer's Babysitter 02.27.09 at 8:58 pm

Um… hate to point out the obvious, but Revolution724 wasn’t the only poster who commented in the negative about human babies. “Utterly repulsive” is pretty strong wording. I’m of the opinion, not that anyone asked, that human babies are cute enough, as long as I don’t have to take one home.

54 Boomer's Babysitter 02.27.09 at 8:58 pm

Um… hate to point out the obvious, but Revolution724 wasn’t the only poster who commented in the negative about human babies. “Utterly repulsive” is pretty strong wording. I’m of the opinion, not that anyone asked, that human babies are cute enough, as long as I don’t have to take one home.

55 Boomer's Babysitter 02.27.09 at 8:58 pm

Um… hate to point out the obvious, but Revolution724 wasn’t the only poster who commented in the negative about human babies. “Utterly repulsive” is pretty strong wording. I’m of the opinion, not that anyone asked, that human babies are cute enough, as long as I don’t have to take one home.

56 Boomer's Babysitter 02.27.09 at 8:58 pm

Um… hate to point out the obvious, but Revolution724 wasn’t the only poster who commented in the negative about human babies. “Utterly repulsive” is pretty strong wording. I’m of the opinion, not that anyone asked, that human babies are cute enough, as long as I don’t have to take one home.

57 Boomer's Babysitter 02.27.09 at 8:58 pm

Um… hate to point out the obvious, but Revolution724 wasn’t the only poster who commented in the negative about human babies. “Utterly repulsive” is pretty strong wording. I’m of the opinion, not that anyone asked, that human babies are cute enough, as long as I don’t have to take one home.

58 Katrina 02.27.09 at 9:01 pm

“Silent Meow” are you here?

That film was just adorable.

59 Jezebel 02.27.09 at 9:06 pm

Ohhhh, so that’s how it works!

60 Nik 02.27.09 at 10:14 pm

For me wasn’t just the perfect, teeny, squeaky kitty meows that got me, it was the simultaneous Ear Wiggles that turned me into a puddle.

61 catloveschanel 02.27.09 at 10:29 pm

Thanks for the birthday wishes y’all. So far so good. Plus I got a free birthday gift at Sephora!
WOO HOO.
I’m with the Panda.

62 Katrina 02.27.09 at 11:06 pm

yeah……. like Nik said, the ear wiggles of dooooooom.

63 Theresa 02.28.09 at 12:05 am

Catlove, what was it? I lervs me some Sephora.

64 Mary (the first) 02.28.09 at 12:56 am

I’m not sure I can support this theory. They didn’t mention toe beans, NOR ethereal whiskers, for example, as being among the factors. Therefore, their research is incomplete and suspect as to its applicability.

65 CoffeeCup 02.28.09 at 1:18 am

I must be the only person in the CO universe who doesn’t think toe beans are cute. I just can’t. I prefer the fuzzy. I also don’t think baby fingers are cute either, but the baby in this video was awesome. Future musician!

66 AuntieMame 02.28.09 at 2:12 am

Pasickie! They were ALL adorable!

67 Michelle S. 02.28.09 at 2:41 am

Any reason why my posts are removed but the “human babies are utterly repulsive” posts get to stay? Just curious.

68 totalee puppy 02.28.09 at 4:10 am

catloveschanel…You deserve the best birthday
ever…

69 hamster-on-rye 02.28.09 at 4:16 am

Silent Meow–I miss hearing from you. Hope you
are ok. I am one of many
caring friends here at CO.
Hamry

70 totalee puppy 02.28.09 at 4:21 am

Silent Meow–I really admire you for all your
good ideas and efforts for justice. Sometimes it helps
to have someone to write
to who is supportive. We
are here for you.

71 Lisa 02.28.09 at 4:56 am

For more like that, go look at the producer’s site, SmallMammal.com. Chris Mims is fantastic.

72 Patito Gigante 02.28.09 at 5:05 am

Theo, Kryptonite is only deadly to Superman. Your cover is blown. Lois has been wondering why there aren’t any lenses in your frames, anyway..

73 Katrina 02.28.09 at 10:30 am

Hi Peeps-I’m off to see the…flowers poppieeeees, poppieees.

I’ll tell you what it was like on my triumphal return!
(insert Aida march, please Theresa)-Hamster-on-rye-nice to ’see you! totalee puppy – nice to see you too! Have a great weekend, Peeps!K.

74 Barbarella von Fluffenstein 02.28.09 at 10:41 am

Urgh. Baby. NOT cute. ;)

75 Raemie L. 02.28.09 at 10:45 am

Gah! I want to hold that kitteh!

76 enchantasy 02.28.09 at 12:07 pm

oooooooooohhhhhhhhh I need that kitteh

77 Amy 02.28.09 at 2:31 pm

I,too,find baby animals cuter than baby humans. I’m not “anti-baby”:they just don’t appeal to me. But a friend from out-of-town will be visiting soon with her new baby so I will have to gush appropriately!

78 Theresa 02.28.09 at 5:40 pm

Katrina– ever seen the Met production of Aida? Everything takes place between two giant feet. (Explanation on request ;) )

79 Carol 03.01.09 at 2:30 am

Pandas take the cake. ‘Nuf sed: http://www.pandafix.com/pandafix/

80 Theo 03.01.09 at 3:10 pm

Patito — I’d swear viciously at being outed, but it’s not my nature.

81 edmundh 03.01.09 at 11:26 pm

“Pedomorphosis”…I just learned a new word today!

82 Patito Gigante 03.02.09 at 4:17 am

“Theo”, the good citizens at superdickery.com have seen your dark side…

Hey, did anybody make the podomorphosis/Kafka joke yet? I don’t feel like scrolling up to check.

83 Katrina 03.02.09 at 5:25 pm

I’m back! Cue the Aida! It was wonderful! Noelle- did you go? what did you think?
I would be very happy to go again next year! Oh, so very fun!
Theresa- ’splain Luuuucy.

84 Katrina 03.02.09 at 9:36 pm

Oh, I think I fidderd it out. The feet are the bottom of a huge Egyptian statue.

85 jen 03.04.09 at 9:07 pm

so, are the professors going to explain those of us who find kittehs and puppies cute but not babies? are we just freaks of nature? someone needs to get on that study.

86 taelor 03.05.09 at 1:03 pm

hi

87 Joanna 03.20.09 at 3:50 am

Accidents of physiology? Uhhhhh no, animals were cute FIRST, babies are GROSS

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