Cuteness of Butterstick Baffles Even Scientists
Our own Butterstick was featured as the lede in a New York Times story on all things cute. According to the article, the factors of cuteness are ever evolving, and based on the traits cited, it would seem that the Stick is one of those forces pushing the adorability envelope:
Scientists who study the evolution of visual signaling have identified a wide and still expanding assortment of features and behaviors that make something look cute: bright forward-facing eyes set low on a big round face, a pair of big round ears, floppy limbs and a side-to-side, teeter-totter gait, among many others.
The Times is quick to point out that the human cuteness detector is set at a low bar and that we're all prone to Madison Avenue gimmicks that only cheapen the cuteness aline in the world. Nevertheless, we're proud of the Stick for pushing the boundaries of the known world while coming by his traits naturally.
And he wields those traits well. As we saw in these pages last week, the case for Buttersticks panda superiority was well articulated. Perhaps it's time Butterstick faced some tougher competition than his West Coast cousin. With the Times citing "vulnerability, harmlessness and need" as among the "cute cues" maybe it's time the Stick went head-to-head with Maureen Dowd.— DCEIVER
The Cute Factor [New York Times]