What happens when we see a beautiful face?
What is it that draws our attention and keeps us captivated for a few moments
before we move on or go back to what we were doing? Is it just the aesthetic
splendour? Intended only as a lovely distraction from the mart of economic
strife and gain, and nothing else? Or is it the undying need to be associated
with anything majestic (enough) to raise our social standing? Or maybe both?
What happens when we fall in love? As a
result of certain stimuli, the hypothalamus releases a powerful discharge of
endorphins.
But why exactly that woman or that man? Is
the release of odourless pheromones that correspond or complement the genetic
signals or is it the physical features that we recognise? A mother’s eyes, a
friend’s laughter, a smell that stimulates a happy memory.
Is love, part of the plan? A vast war plan
between two modes of reproduction?
Bacteria and viruses are asexual organisms.
With each cell division each multiplication they mutate and perfect themselves
much more quickly than we do. Against this we respond with the most fearsome
weapon: sex. Two individuals, by mixing their genes, shuffle the cards and
create an individual who resists viruses better. Are we unknowing participants
in war between two modes of reproduction? And love, our reliable alibi in this
war?
