Simone’s Notes:

 From a scientifically testable frame of reference, love is a type of interpersonal relationship where mutual assumption of good faith results in a state of emergence, i.e. constituents individually perceive the group’s social evolution as both beneficial and greater than what could be achieved by the sum of the relationship’s parts. Biological sciences such as evolutionary psychology, evolutionary biology, anthropology and neuroscience have begun to explore the nature and function of love. Specific chemical substances such as oxytocin are studied in the context of their roles in producing human experiences and behaviors that are associated with love. From the perspective of evolutionary psychology the experiences and behaviors associated with love can be investigated in terms of how they have been shaped by human evolution. For example, it has been suggested that human language has been selected during evolution as a type of “mating signal” that allows potential mates to judge reproductive fitness. Miller described evolutionary psychology as a starting place for further research: “Cognitive neuroscience could try to localize courtship adaptations in the brain. Most importantly, we need much better observations concerning real-life human courtship, including the measurable aspects of courtship that influence mate choice, the reproductive  consequences of individual variation in those aspects, and the social-cognitive and emotional mechanisms of falling in love.” Since Darwin’s time there have been similar speculations about the evolution of human interest in music also as a potential signaling system for attracting and judging the fitness of potential mates. It has been suggested that the human capacity to experience love has been evolved as a signal to potential mates that the partner will be a good parent and be likely to help pass genes to future generations.

I came home this weekend to visit my wife and baby. I was planning to surprise Riza. But, she surprised me when she showed up at the train station to come get me. We’re having a little girl! The whole day I insisted that Riza take it easy. She did so out of love for me. Our apartment is all decorated for Christmas-Hanukkah. (I’m Jewish in case you’re wondering. Riza and I combine the holidays together every year.) But that was only the first part. Riza showed me the nursey. Pink, purple, and light blue were all around. The WAGs helped her out with that one. I had to say, I was impressed with the work done here. Riza was overjoyed that I was impressed. I made dinner tonight. My wife and I talked about school some. I really hope it snows this year. After dinner, I took Riza back to our bedroom for… well, I’ll let your imagination do the rest on that one!

–Jakob

New Chap: http://ficwad.com/story/120193