I mean, why do our eyes get wet? Is there any evolutionary or logical reason behind this?

  • kibiz0r@midwest.socialEnglish
    371·
    8 days ago

    It’s a pretty well-tuned signal of distress.

    It’s only noticeable up-close, so enemies or predators aren’t likely to notice.

    It’s pretty expensive to do, so you’re not going to spam it. Your body takes a while to make more tears, and you need those to keep your eyes comfortable.

    It does a good job of making you harmless so others know it’s safe to help you. It’s hard to see through teary eyes, and hard to coordinate muscles when you’re shuddering from sobs.

    • CaptainBlagbird@lemmy.world
      13·
      8 days ago

      Status Effect: [Distress Crying]

      • Trigger: Emotional overload, physical pain, or extreme empathy response.
      • Range: Close proximity (3m).
      • Effects:
        • Stealth Buff: Invisible to enemies/predators. Limited detection range ensures situational safety.
        • Resource Drain: Consumes [Tear Reserve] (resource regenerates slowly). Excessive use risks [Eye Irritation] debuff.
        • Mobility Debuff:
          • Vision Impairment (-70% visibility): Reduced clarity due to teary eyes.
          • Coordination Loss (-40% dexterity): Shuddering sobs make precise movement difficult.
        • Ally Effect:
          • Helpfulness Aura (+Empathy): Nearby allies are more likely to assist due to perceived harmlessness and vulnerability.
      • Cooldown: Natural emotional stabilization period required.