Honestly, I would be very curious to know if chemical castration (which is apparently not as nasty as it sounds — I think I read that it results in no permanent physical changes and is reversible by discontinuing administration of the drug) would have positive effects on rationality. I can see how it might; considering that (as Will put it) your thoughts are bent by what you wish to signal, cutting out the drive to constantly signal reproductive fitness could remove a significant source of thought-bendage.
Tried it. Similar effect to satiating desire, but without the positive affect. May cause depression. My memory is dim; I may be unconsciously extrapolating from the opposite of doing the opposite, rather than remembering. Signalling is probably a habit, not to be so easily dropped.
Honestly, I would be very curious to know if chemical castration (which is apparently not as nasty as it sounds — I think I read that it results in no permanent physical changes and is reversible by discontinuing administration of the drug) would have positive effects on rationality. I can see how it might; considering that (as Will put it) your thoughts are bent by what you wish to signal, cutting out the drive to constantly signal reproductive fitness could remove a significant source of thought-bendage.
Not that I’m volunteering to try it, but...
Tried it. Similar effect to satiating desire, but without the positive affect. May cause depression. My memory is dim; I may be unconsciously extrapolating from the opposite of doing the opposite, rather than remembering. Signalling is probably a habit, not to be so easily dropped.
See One year follow-up study of the association between chemical castration, sex hormones, beta-amyloid, memory and depression in men for a summary of effects in a study.