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posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday March 26 2014, @11:15AM   Printer-friendly
from the everybody-look-at-your-hands dept.

Papas Fritas writes:

The Washington Post reports that a group of evolutionary biologists have looked at the science of bump and grind, and say they have figured out exactly which dance movements catch a woman's eye. Researchers set up the experiment as follows: they recruited 30 men to dance to a core drum beat for 30 seconds. The dancers were given no specific instructions on how to dance beforehand, and their movements were recorded via a sophisticated motion-capture system. Each dancer's 30-second routine was then used to animate a "featureless, gender-neutral" computer-generated avatar. Researchers then asked 37 women to view each of the dancing avatars and rate their performance on a seven-point scale.

The results: Women rated dancers higher when they showed larger and more variable movements of the head, neck and torso (PDF). Speed of leg movements mattered too, particularly bending and twisting of the right knee. Going beyond the dance floor, these findings could demonstrate that men's dance moves could carry "honest signals of traits such as health, fitness, genetic quality and developmental history." No word yet on whether similar findings hold true for men's assessments of women's dancing ability as an indication of their genetic quality and fitness.

 
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  • (Score: 2, Informative) by Fluffeh on Wednesday March 26 2014, @11:55AM

    by Fluffeh (954) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday March 26 2014, @11:55AM (#21442) Journal

    Interesting, I always wondered about you "wall lean-ers". I love to dance in a good club, why do you folks hold back? Get out there dance, enjoy yourselves and, seriously, don't give a shit about what folks think or whether you can dance well. Dancing is about enjoying YOURSELF, not trying to look good. Take a look at a bunch of these ravers [youtube.com]. You realize we make this shit up as we go along, it's not about "learning" to dance, it's about enjoying the music, here's another one with a BUNCH of different styles [youtube.com]. There's no set moves, it's about getting into the music, letting that elation that comes with a good workout just tip you up that little bit more.

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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by zocalo on Wednesday March 26 2014, @12:14PM

    by zocalo (302) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @12:14PM (#21448)

    There's no set moves, it's about getting into the music, letting that elation that comes with a good workout just tip you up that little bit more.

    Apparently some recent research shows that larger and more variable movements of the head, neck and torso plus speed of leg movements, particularly bending and twisting of the right knee, might become the "set moves". OP might want to experiment with giving those a try. ;)

    --
    UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by hatta on Wednesday March 26 2014, @12:54PM

    by hatta (879) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @12:54PM (#21459)

    And as a bonus, when you're enjoying yourself, you look good. Here's a tip for those having trouble. Bob from your hips, not your head. It's not scary, gently bouncing doesn't stand out amongst head bobbers. Once your hips get in the rhythm, it's easy to ramp it up from there since your whole body is already moving. All powerful movements come from the hips. Bob your head, and your whole body is just dead weight.

    Even the socially awkward can have fun dancing, believe me. It's not a social experience, it's you and the music. At least, until women start to notice and approach. Just don't try to dance to music you can't get into. Feel the groove and let yourself fall into it. That's my advice.

  • (Score: 1) by urza9814 on Wednesday March 26 2014, @12:56PM

    by urza9814 (3954) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @12:56PM (#21460) Journal
    I used to *always* be that guy. Highschool dances, bars and clubs in college, whatever, I just never danced. But now when I go out with my girlfriend, I find I do. Always thought I just didn't like to dance, but thinking about it now, I think the problem was the music itself. I now finally live somewhere that has metal and punk bars. I can "dance" to that (in quotes because I'm sure someone will say 'that's not dancing' -- and they may be right!). I really can't do the top-40 crap though. Gotta gimme a mosh pit or some long-haired headbangers. :)
  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by Taibhsear on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:12PM

    by Taibhsear (1464) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:12PM (#21467)

    Interesting, I always wondered about you "wall lean-ers". I love to dance in a good club, why do you folks hold back? Get out there dance, enjoy yourselves and, seriously, don't give a shit about what folks think or whether you can dance well. Dancing is about enjoying YOURSELF, not trying to look good.

    Easier said than done kemosabe. Some of us aren't extroverts and have psyche issues that prevent us from enjoying ourselves when surrounded by strangers all up in our personal bubbles. Might as well tell a clinically depressed person to just stop being sad. I'm sure most of those "wall lean-ers" would have no problem busting a move while alone in the secure confines of their own homes.

    On a personal note, I only dance in public when I'm in a specific "and not a single fuck will be given today" kind of mood.

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:29PM

      by Ethanol-fueled (2792) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:29PM (#21480) Homepage

      First you limp to the side like your leg was broken,
      Kinda shakin' and twitchin' like you were smokin.'

      But seriously, it seems that none of you considered that there are also some women who abhor dancing, and don't like the club scene. Instead of uncomfortably and unnaturally contorting yourself in an exaggerated plea for attention, why not just see out women who aren't into dancing? There are plenty, I know, I'm a seasoned online dater. I prefer women who'd rather be in a mosh pit at a show. The whole concept of "having to prove yourself to a woman" is a big part of the problem with perception...
       
      ...you see, there's a common misconception that women are the mate-choosers, and are the ones who get to pick the lucky mate from a long line of suitors. That's complete and utter bullshit which visibly stops being true immediately around your mid-late '20's. Are you single without kids, no divorces, with a job and some education, and just good looking with just enough of a personality? 70% of your work is already done for you, now it's about how she can compete for you since she won't have those pretty looks for much longer and her biological clock is ticking -- and she knows it. She may have the eggs, but you still have the seed, and more choices at this age. You at least spent all those years developing interests and a personality, chances are she just cruised by on watching reality T.V. and got her attention fixes putting on a tight dress and revealing her floppy boobs, muffin-top, with the obvious mark of poorly-chosen underwear worn with her dress. Any woman, or animal for that matter, can get plenty of attention in a packed club full of Puerto Ricans and their obvious boners.

      This is why all women, even the so-called "hot" ones, like you more when they know you don't give a shit. They value you more when they know you have others on the side, when you can get laid no matter what after tossing them aside when they give you lip.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:13PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:13PM (#21503)

        This is why all women, even the so-called "hot" ones, like you more when they know you don't give a shit.

        And they know I don't give a shit because I only go to bars with no dancing. ;)

    • (Score: 3, Interesting) by SleazyRidr on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:30PM

      by SleazyRidr (882) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:30PM (#21519)

      Yes, some people do in fact have serious problems. Nowhere near as many as are standing up against the wall. Feeling silly isn't a problem. Sometimes you just need to throw yourself over your own wall of self-doubt to get where you want to be.

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Grishnakh on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:55PM

      by Grishnakh (2831) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:55PM (#21534)

      The other problem is the music. It's not like we have any good music to dance to these days; it's all hip-hop and top 40 garbage, which is all totally unlistenable. Why the hell would anyone want to be in a place where that crap is being played, especially at high volumes?

      • (Score: 2) by hatta on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:31PM

        by hatta (879) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:31PM (#21643)

        There's plenty of good music to dance to. Just last week I saw Shpongle and That One Guy here. This saturday, I'm seeing Mountain Sprout. All awesome, danceable, and nothing you'd find on top 40 stations. You're just going to the wrong venues.

        • (Score: 2) by tynin on Wednesday March 26 2014, @07:02PM

          by tynin (2013) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @07:02PM (#21664) Journal

          I've been to a Shpongle concert, but they didn't bring the full... parade with them. I was only partly disappointed, as it was still good fun. But having never heard of That One Guy, I'm off to search the interwebs! I look forward to finding something awesome.

  • (Score: 2) by hubie on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:21PM

    by hubie (1068) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:21PM (#21474) Journal

    Hank Hill quote from the TV show King of the Hill:

    They weren't dancing like you and I dance, Peggy. They were enjoying it.

  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by VLM on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:42PM

    by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday March 26 2014, @01:42PM (#21487)

    Its interesting that this turned into a big social anxiety discussion. I'm cool with doing stuff in public, presentations, speeches, debates, whatever. For me its coordination. Wiggle around, not at your pace but more or less with the music, while not falling down. Yeah right as if I'm ever going to accomplish that without falling down.

    I can do aerobics and tai chi and "just dance" copycat games because obviously the instructor isn't falling over so if I copy them very carefully then I'm all good. Often I lose my balance, but not too bad. But this freeform "just wiggle around" is not happening. And that would be bad by myself, but now dark floor with lots of people bumping into me and probably had a bit to drink nope nope nope.

    I imagine its a lot like "yo, here's the language reference manual, now knock out some code". That's how I learned C in the 80s, right outta edition 1 K+R. I'll just improvise something on the fly with some hints no problemo. I understand most people cannot do that with coding, and I'm like that with coordination or dancing in specific.

    Oh a better analogy, its like telling a non-gymnast to just grab those ring things and flail themselves around, or just fling yourself around those metal bars.

    I always had the impression my fellow wall flowers were primarily uncoordinated. It may very well be that many actual wall flowers are in fact uncoordinated but dancers think the wall flowers have an anxiety thing. There is probably some truth to it in that if someone bugged the heck out of me to dance depending on ethanol content and mood I might ignore them, or tell them to F off, or perhaps get really anxious about the whole falling down thing. Or I'd like to tell them to F off but the more polite response might vaguely resemble being anxious. Or being anxious about trying to think of a polite way to tell them to F off.

    I did LOL at the guy who compared it to telling clinically depressed people to cheer up. Hey you, uncoordinated guy, all you gotta do is be coordinated, then its all good! Yeah, uh, thanks.

    • (Score: 2) by SleazyRidr on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:39PM

      by SleazyRidr (882) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @02:39PM (#21525)

      I'll let you in on a secret: none of us are actually particularly good at dancing. Sure if you go to a country-western bar you need to know the moves to the 2-step, but most clubs no one gives a shit. If you fall down people will just think that you're drunk and they won't care because they're drunk too!

      Also; I see the /. tradition of not reading the article has transferred across to here. Nowhere in the study does it say that you have to be coordinated. "Larger and more variable movements of the head, neck and torso." Can you move those three body parts? If you can, go do it! If not, go to the hospital as you need help.

      Final comment: urza9814 mentioned in a sister post to yours that he could never get into dancing at clubs playing top40 music but then he found punk/metal clubs where he felt a lot more into the music and dancing came more naturally. Maybe you could try going to a few different places and see if any of them feel more comfortable to you.

      • (Score: 1) by Taibhsear on Wednesday March 26 2014, @03:14PM

        by Taibhsear (1464) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @03:14PM (#21545)

        If you fall down people will just think that you're drunk and they won't care because they're drunk too!

        Said no bouncer ever.

        • (Score: 2) by SleazyRidr on Wednesday March 26 2014, @07:19PM

          by SleazyRidr (882) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @07:19PM (#21686)

          They don't kick people out for being drunk. They kick people out for being violent or obnoxious. For all the stories I've heard of people being kicked out for "no good reason" I've never seen someone get kicked out of a bar who wasn't one of those two; and I've been in a lot of bars.

    • (Score: 2) by mhajicek on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:32PM

      by mhajicek (51) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:32PM (#21645)

      For me it's a matter or being contrary to my brain function. I'm a fairly logical person, and used to be a moderately component martial artist, so I'm accustomed to moving my body in the most efficient way I can to achieve my objective. Dancing is kind of the opposite of that.

      --
      The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
      • (Score: 2) by mhajicek on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:53PM

        by mhajicek (51) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:53PM (#21655)

        *competent! Durn spellchecker...

        --
        The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
    • (Score: 2) by hatta on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:37PM

      by hatta (879) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:37PM (#21646)

      Wiggle around, not at your pace but more or less with the music, while not falling down. Yeah right as if I'm ever going to accomplish that without falling down.

      Start slow and work your way up. Like I said above, gently bounce your hips in rhythm with the music. Slightly increase amplitude when the music makes you want to move a little more. Coordination has very little to do with it.

      I can do aerobics and tai chi and "just dance" copycat games because obviously the instructor isn't falling over so if I copy them very carefully then I'm all good.

      I'm the opposite. I can't do DDR at all. When I took martial arts, I had to watch forms over and over again before I got it.

  • (Score: 2, Interesting) by Skarjak on Wednesday March 26 2014, @03:35PM

    by Skarjak (730) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @03:35PM (#21559)

    Just because you like dancing doesn't mean that everyone does. I don't dance because I have no interest in dancing.

    • (Score: 2) by hatta on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:46PM

      by hatta (879) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @06:46PM (#21651)

      You have no interest in dancing because you don't know how euphoric it can be.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 27 2014, @12:57AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 27 2014, @12:57AM (#21849)

        you don't know how euphoric it can be

        Amen.
        Center of balance, torque moments, angular momentum, bias pressure--all the stuff you encountered in Physics class (and which make the physical world work) are applicable in dancing.
        There are lots of "nerds" who dig dancing and can view it as applied science.

        Now, that last item on my list refers to dancing **with a partner** (and actually TOUCHING your partner).
        That's the only kind of dancing that ever interested me.
        (It adds a whole nuther layer to "euphoric".)

        If you go to the right club(s), the only opening line you need is "Wanna dance?".
        Leading your partner into a move [ethicaldeal.com] and seeing what she makes out of your lead [pinimg.com][1] can be a rush.
        Your subsequent lead is response to what she has done and that reaction can also give her a rush.
        It's a conversation without needing any words.
        You can also think of it as a bunch of conditional branches.

        Don't know how to dance?
        How many skills that you now have can you say that about? (I don't see a clean way to not end that with a preposition.)
        How many of those acquired skills involved formal training?
        There are dance studios, nightclubs that offer lessons, community centers, and college extension courses.

        To have fun, learn to dance. [ithacaswingdance.com]
        Get out and get dancing. [danasolimando.com]
        Seriously. [bigdeal.sg]
        You can thank me later for the great advice. [chicagorebels.net]

        [1] Note: I don't like the way his arm is just dangling by his side; lousy form.

        -- gewg_

  • (Score: 1) by bart9h on Wednesday March 26 2014, @04:53PM

    by bart9h (767) on Wednesday March 26 2014, @04:53PM (#21595)

    IOW, dance like nobody's watching.