Why Not Just Rub Noses?

It's another travel day, so getting online between flights has been tricky, but I'm pleased to be able to share an interview I did with the great folks behind IdeaFestival where I'll be speaking in September! See if you can guess why I'm so interested in this event:

Much of the mesmerizing innovation that we are witnessing in the 21st century emerges at and from the intersections of many disciplines – science, the arts, business, design, technology, education, medicine and more. Unfortunately, most people have little opportunity to get out of their field to learn about, discuss and explore how to integrate (and apply to their area of interest) diverse and important ideas and innovations. The IdeaFestival remedies this often missed opportunity by providing a unique “space” for the convergence of ideas. This series of events attracts peopleand leading thinkers from across the nation and around the globe.

I just love the concept of bringing so many different people together in one forum. Now without further ado... Kissing! Here's a peek at my exchange with Wayne Hall:

2) Ingrid Bergman said that “A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” How is this true or not true?

Kissing is the ultimate way to express how we feel beyond what words can convey. On top of that there are hidden signals that help each individual--particularly women who have a stronger sense of smell and taste--decide whether to pursue a deeper connection.

For example, kissing puts us in very close proximity to sample another person's natural odor and research has demonstrated that women are most attracted to the scent of men with a very different genetic code for immunity. We're not consciously aware of this, but a couple with diversity in this area may be more likely to have stronger, healthier children. In this way, a good kiss helps a woman figure out whether her partner would be a good long term match.

3) Why kiss on the lips? Why not just rub noses?

There are many theories about why we kiss the lips, but anthropologists and neuroscientists recognize that the color red gets noticed as an attractive and alluring signal. The social kiss also likely evolved from the sniff greeting bringing out faces into close proximity and over time a brush of the lips may have accompanied a brush of the nose. Our lips are also packed with sensitive nerve endings so even a slight brush will send a cascade of pleasurable signals to the brain encouraging us to continue under the right circumstances.

Read the full interview at IdeaFestival.com.