tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493101396674767317.post8820830587418821136..comments2023-10-17T10:29:57.984-04:00Comments on The Screaming Pope: Amo Amas AmatFrancishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981546907877838890noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493101396674767317.post-79664737811673815982011-08-18T23:20:45.160-04:002011-08-18T23:20:45.160-04:00I take exception to yr notion that romantic love l...I take exception to yr notion that romantic love leads to unlimited copulation. This would be a bit of a burden on the autonomic nervous system, nein? Unlimited copulation would be like being sentenced to the electric chair. Can you imagine fucking on an unlimited basis, your brains would be fried. All best FrancisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493101396674767317.post-28326329991667244902011-08-17T14:01:28.795-04:002011-08-17T14:01:28.795-04:00It's even deeper than that. As in politics, th...It's even deeper than that. As in politics, the issue or faction that makes the most noise is not always most pervasive. So (fortunately) romantic love does not call the tune, although it may call for it.<br /><br />The myth of romantic love (I believe) actually evolved as a means to allow unbridled sexual activity, in a milieu where other forces acted to constrain it. Built into every species are the equivalents of accelerator and brake pedal, which act to encourage or constrain reproduction, to balance population within an ecosystem. (Religion and societal mores are the brakes applied to the reproduction of human beings, and address our higher cortical and long-term memory development.)<br /><br />Romantic love justifies unlimited copulation, so long as it is with the love object. The myth might look like a series of hoops to jump through, but it actually helps circumvent the chasm-jumping imposed by more severe restrictions.<br /><br />As you pointed out, however, romantic love also leads to much heartache, especially when it is sold to everyone as the "majority view." Unrequited love and the pining for same afflict many. Fortunately for the human race, sex also wears another suit of clothes: not so glamorous as romance, perhaps, nor as beautiful, but perfectly suited to everyday work -- solid friendship that grows into a blend of love and physical attraction, ideal for developing a lifetime bond.<br /><br />The only trouble with this type of love is that it needs better press and PR; it doesn't get nearly enough mention in art and literature. It's time to pass the word to our young; perhaps they'd be spared some needless pain.Retromanhttp://blog.retrocollage.comnoreply@blogger.com