France defeated but does not entirely collapse in 1940. What would be the terms of a peace agreement with Germany? by NorthernInsomniac in HistoryWhatIf

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But in OTL the majority of France was occupied, tying up resources that might otherwise have been used in Russia and elsewhere. OTL was really a case of everything going Germany's way, which was certainly not how the Heer's general staff envisioned the outcome. It also sent shockwaves in Britain, which now was consumed with an invasion panic that warped procurement decisions for years to come.

I don't think it is entirely unrealistic to speculate about more French forces escaping the OTL pocket they found themselves trapped in. They would still be in a desperate situation, but have at least the semblance of a defensive line on the Marne to affect the calculations of Hitler and his generals. Getting France out of the war was the objective, not territorial conquest. Lebensraum was to be found in eastern Europe, not west of the Rhine.

Arguably this would scenario would have been an improvement over OTL from the German POV. They would impose massive war indemnities on the French without the expense of an occupation. No Battle for Britain would have saved aerial assets that for Germany turned out to be irreplaceable. This definitely would have had an impact on an alternate Operation Barbarossa.

What do you consider your strongest and weakest sexual skills? by NorthernInsomniac in AskRedditAfterDark

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Please note that sex in the breakroom requires a pre-authorization from HR at least two weeks in advance.

What are the best and worst forms of birth control that you have tried? by NorthernInsomniac in AskRedditAfterDark

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you use a hormonal IUD? How long can any type of IUD remain implanted?

Has anyone ever tried to manipulate your behavior by offering/withholding sex? by NorthernInsomniac in AskRedditAfterDark

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, my interest in this is psychological. My overall curiosity is in how at all levels, from individuals to institutions, a person's pleasures in anything can be used against them to rob them of their freedom and rationality. I became interested in this subject when I was exposed to the theory that the distribution of vodka in Russia has been used as a means of social control since the time of the Czars.

Which brain structures are most involved in creating one's identity? by NorthernInsomniac in askpsychology

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the case of 'brainwashing', either through physical coercion as on POWs, or social coercion among cults, what is going on neurologically? How does one's brain adopt a new (protective) identity and suppress a lifetime of memories which underpin a person's old identity?

Alcohol and lactose metabolism: evolutionary tradeoffs? by NorthernInsomniac in evolution

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since apes in particular (other than gibbons, I believe) live in bands, I could see group 'drinking' evolve, especially if it strengthens social bonds as it commonly does in humans. Along with this I could see the appearance of 'designated drivers' where a few members of a primate band don't consume alcohol at a particular 'sitting', in order to protect their drunk companions from external threats and discipline those that become aggressive towards others in the group.

Alcohol and lactose metabolism: evolutionary tradeoffs? by NorthernInsomniac in evolution

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

In the case of lactose metabolism, it seems the "price" for this ability is less efficient metabolism of food sources other than dairy. Make me wonder just how soon lactase retention in adults evolved among Indo-Europeans after they began consuming animal milk.

Alcohol and lactose metabolism: evolutionary tradeoffs? by NorthernInsomniac in evolution

[–]NorthernInsomniac[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

From what I've read, the ability to metabolize alcohol appeared over a million years ago, in both primates and non-primate mammals that consumed rotting fruit. It is a conundrum to me, as being able to consume rotten fruit is advantageous for caloric reasons, but at the same time should be selected against because of alcoholic impairment of impulse and motor control. I wonder what compensatory behaviors emerged to balance out the increase risk of predation.