Do you think that a human “intrinsically cares about the welfare of a photo of a human”?
Not in cultures like ours with widespread photography, mirrors, and art. However, in the absence of those things, I think sometimes yes, see §7.4.3.1 here.
I think we like looking at stick figure drawings for a similar reason as we like hearing gossip. It’s not that it’s directly triggering brainstem sensory heuristics, but rather that it’s making us think about other people, which can be its own reward.
Not in cultures like ours with widespread photography, mirrors, and art. However, in the absence of those things, I think sometimes yes, see §7.4.3.1 here.
I think we like looking at stick figure drawings for a similar reason as we like hearing gossip. It’s not that it’s directly triggering brainstem sensory heuristics, but rather that it’s making us think about other people, which can be its own reward.