[extropy-chat] Affective computing: Candy bars for the soul

[Harvey Newstrom]

Kevin Freels wrote,
> I just started following this thread. Has it been considered 
> that the phenomenon is cultural and not evolutionary at all? 

Yes.  Your concept of "fitting in" is a very strong influence.  It helps
push the whole group to act in the same way, even when some of the
individuals may not feel the direct affect of influences.

> People struggling to eat really could care less about 
> the future of their social group, be it a tribe, city, or 
> country. All they really have time for is the survival of 
> themselves and their immediate family. A larger family would 
> translate into more power which would allow your family 
> access to resources that otherwise would be unattainable 
> because another family had already been there first.

In earlier times, children were a bonus.  They helped work and support the
family.  They gathered food, hunted, watched other children, performed work,
etc.  The more children a family had, the richer each individual became.

But in richer societies, children are a burden.  The don't work and support
the family.  They cost money to feed, clothe, raise and educate.  Families
today not only don't benefit from children, but they can't afford a lot of
children.  The more children a family has, the poorer each individual
becomes.

-- 
Harvey Newstrom, CISSP, CISA, CISM, IAM, IBMCP, GSEC
Certified IS Security Pro, Certified IS Auditor, Certified InfoSec Manager,
NSA Certified Assessor, IBM Certified Consultant, SANS Certified GIAC
<HarveyNewstrom.com> <Newstaff.com>