The curious are raising difficult questions: would Prince Charles' married life have been happier if his face were more symmetrical? The spoilers are dishing out the usual cliches about emotions, stress, setting being more important than symmetry. And it's been left to the converts to puzzle how to measure and determine symmetry—and consequent bliss—before embarking on new relationships.
The theory as showbiz had another exemplar doing the rounds. This one asserts that the evolutionary principle behind the arts is seduction. That is: music, poetry, painting evolved essentially as a male strategy for obtaining sex. Well, given the libidinous accounts of most artists, this is something we've always known. But to have it couched in pseudo-scientific jargon casts a harsh new light on it. Sort of diminishes all those giants. No longer do we need to be awed by the great ustads, the Husains and the Rushdies—since they are only pursuing by more elaborate means what the rest of us do directly.
P.S. If you've heard of any more wacky sex theories, write in. I'm sure Vinod will generously gift a few more subscriptions.
