Monday 27 July 2009
Paedomorphosis and anthropomorphism
Pedomorphologic characteristics in product design, at a first reading refer to anthropomorphic characteristics. The examples of anthropomorphic artifacts are extended and there is a long-held propensity for this kind of forms that can be dated back to earliest times.But there is a fine distinction between the two attributes. Or maybe paedomorphosis (always in design) is a special case of anthropomorphism. Toys for example or even character design, under which label can be placed? A table with the two separated phenomena must be made.
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Hi Angeliki,
ReplyDeleteI am a writer, actually first of all a science writer. The hypothesis of human pedomorphosis interests me a lot. I feel your idea is worth further study as it has something to do with the ideas of Konrad Lorenz about our innate feelings for some "babyface" features common to most mammals. We are always children and we want to have "childish" things around us. Can it have something to do with our bias for religion, for gods and spirits as our parents or masters? We are domesticated animals who have a need to be submissive to somebody. Sometimes not human but a superhuman somebody.
Ciao
Jaan
Hei Jaan,
ReplyDeletesomehow I did not reached that comment before today. I am full aware of Lorenz idea on babyface attractiveness. Similar elements with the babyface of humans can easily be found in artifacts. What I try to investigate is first all these characteristics that constitute "childlike" design (both in morphological level and in intellectual level, including in the latter emotions)and second to see in which areas of design pedomorphosis appear ( e.g. intentions, designers' personality, market).
My point of view concerning the need to be surrounded by "childlike" elements is more from the biological aspect of humans. We simply respond to them because of our pedomorphic nature. Montagu on pedomorphosis and the specific respond we have to babies had written " To the neotenous appeal we respond with neotenous behaviour ..." (Growing Young pg.85).
As for anthropomorphism I have somehow conclude that it is used to express some of our pedomorphic behavioral needs (again as Montagu has described them) like love, to like love, sensitivity , friendship, imagination, enthusiasm, curiosity, enthusiasm, joyfulness, sense of humor, optimism and compassionate intelligence. The reason for this attribution must be investigated to the nature of children and their attribution of animism, where of course it takes the whole conversation to what you mention above philosophy and religion. And which outreach my diploma framework :) thanks a lot for the comment and hope that you come back from time to time to check it!