Oct 17 2008
Cute Don’t Scare Me
What a cute, little spider. I imagine that an aphid in my backyard would perceive this creature to be anything but cute. A hideous, deadly predator, maybe. I spotted the little guy (or little gal, if such gender distinctions are relevant when talking generally about insects) and perceived it to be neat/cool/cute/beautiful. Because I don’t fear it, I am free to approach the green lynx spider, snap a photo, and think, cute.
I find it interesting that Hollywood typically portrays “the enemy” as someone monstrous both in behavior and appearance. In the least, there’s that telling 5-day beard, scar on one cheek, crooked teeth, something.
Someday I’d like to watch a War of the Worlds type movie where the invading army consists of small, furry creatures with puppy-dog adorableness. “Oh, look at all the wittle puppies! They’re soooo cute.” The puppy goes rumping up to a soccer mom and without ceasing to wag its tail, grabs the woman by her ankle, flips her onto her face, then inflicts a kill bite on the back of her neck. Across the street, soccer mom #2 yells, “Bad dog!” The creature turns and begins jaunting in her direction, all canine smiles and tail-wag. “No. That was bad. . . . But you’re so, so cute!” (Repeat of scene.)
The Ken Doll from the evening television news might start the broadcoast with, Alien Puppies, They’re so Cute — But are They Naughty!
Cute is relative. Relative to the nature and nurture that makes us who we are as species and individuals.
