I love babies. I love puppies. I love kittens. I love my cat when she tries to endear herself to me by rolling over and looking at me upside down. I will waste hours watching videos of rescued animals restored to health and children saying the darndest things.
The “cuteness” I dislike is the depiction of a human form in which all nuance, all complexity, everything that makes an individual an individual is erased, leaving only an impersonal, blank, prettiness. This has its place, in advertisements, children’s books, stuffed animals, comics, funny cartoons, etc. In that context it can make me smile or even laugh.
In an adult context, however, and online, it’s frequently used as a cover for sheer nastiness. It makes me shudder the same way I gag when I think of licking a spot of sugar residue off a sheet of paper.
Some of the dumbest, most violent and threatening posts I have received have been from people who depict themselves as adorable, big-eyed schoolgirls in academy uniforms.
Pam Troy 