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Black people Quote by Neal Stephenson

“The example cited most often was a gradual change in eye color among Moirans. Eve Moira’s eyes had been hazel: relatively light in color by the standards of black people, but not all that unusual. By the end of the Second Millennium, many Moirans had eyes so pale in color as to appear golden in…” quote by Neal Stephenson
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““The example cited most often was a gradual change in eye color among Moirans. Eve Moira’s eyes had been hazel: relatively light in color by the standards of black people, but not all that unusual. By the end of the Second Millennium, many Moirans had eyes so pale in color as to appear golden in strong light. On the walls of the Great Chain’s fashion stores, blown up to ten times life size, Moiran fashion models still gazed at you through shockingly yellow, catlike eyes. Because pale eyes had been a distinctive characteristic of Eve Moira, it had become thought of as beautiful and desirable, and Moirans with pale eyes had found it easier to mate and reproduce, intensifying the trait over time, to the point of caricature. Kath Two herself, no model, was frequently complimented on the lightness of her eyes, which were closer to green than yellow. But modern, appearance-conscious Moirans were frequently startled when they saw photographs of their Eve with her eyes that were merely greenish-brown.””

Neal Stephenson

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Rise and Fall of the Great Chain, 2023

A cultural trait became exaggerated through selective preference, turning a natural variation into an extreme ideal.

In simple terms: Selective breeding amplified a trait to a caricature.

Key Takeaway

Beware of idealizing traits without recognizing natural diversity.

Themes

beauty standards genetic drift culture

Mood

critical analytical

Type

cultural sociological

When to use this quote

  • fashion industry
  • media representation
  • genetic selection
  • social norms

Key Concepts

sociology evolutionary biology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do media standards shape genetic preferences?
  • What are the risks of amplifying minor traits?
A Different Perspective

Idealization can lead to loss of authentic variation and potential health issues.

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