Cuteness may seem trivial – but don’t be fooled. A creature’s ability to inspire an irrepressible ‘Aww!’ in people is an important adaptive trait. Indeed, for some species, it can be the difference between genetic success and extinction. And, for humans, cuteness can encourage care for the vulnerable, help us separate docile and threatening animals and, in a modern context, be exploited by advertisers and other messengers. A fascinating overview of adorability, this short animation from TED-Ed explores how cuteness came to be, the surprising ways it can ‘hijack’ the brain, and why it’s still quite mysterious.
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Ecology and environmental sciences
GPS tracking reveals stunning insights into the patterns of migratory birds
6 minutes
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Space exploration
The rarely told story of the fruit flies, primates and canines that preceded us in space
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Family life
The precious family keepsakes that hold meaning for generations
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Neuroscience
This intricate map of a fruit fly brain could signal a revolution in neuroscience
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Information and communication
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Childhood and adolescence
Marmar is living through a devastating war – but she’d rather tell you about her new dress
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Meaning and the good life
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Computing and artificial intelligence
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Art
A puppeteer makes sense of an overwhelming world by shrinking it down to size
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