What is love?

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Baby don't hurt me
Not that's out of the way. What is it? Dictionary says it "a strong liking". I strongly like a few things but wouldn't call it love. In a 4 month relationship I haven't said it yet but have thought about it, not sure what to think. I've saw a girl go into a relationship and the same day say I love you, how do you love somebody that quickly. also friends say they love eachother, I don't love my friends, I like some of them but nowhere near love.

Ranting done. What is love? What does it mean and when do you use it? The whole concept confuses me

I think it's a disease or some severe chemical imbalance of the brain. it makes people do really stupid things they normally wouldn't do and ignore everyone and everything else. They'll be really obsessed with a human being and then one day it's over, much like a disease. Of course the love I'm talking about is being IN love, not the love I have for my two cats or my parents or chocolate cake. I can't ever see myself actually being in love with another human being, I mean actually WANTING them the way I might really want a cool new video game, and being with them the rest of my life the way I'd want to keep that game forever.

Love comes in many shapes and sizes. To me, it's the driving force of life.

I have a big capacity for love without ever having been in a relationship. I can share it and I can keep it to myself.

I mostly use up my capacity for love through music. And certain people I admire. Sadly, we are mostly taught how to hate. We still are taught to think in boxes and categories instead of developing an open mind. Open-mindedness to me is another form of love. Philosophy, the love for thought. All forms of art express love and interest.

Without love and hope, we would have nothing left to live for.

I don't see love as something defective, but something that completes things. Love often is the needed additional factor.

Love is used in advertisements and commercials on TV. It may also be used to manipulate people. The right thing can be used for the wrong purposes. Advertisements only appeal to us through love. Or to me at least.

From what I have read bout it from a psychological and biological point of view, it is a chemical phenomenon in the brain which causes intense feeling off happiness when with the object (through endorphins and dopamine), and a longing for and low feelings when separated from the object. It developed as a means of survival - even though it acts against genetic diversity, it means that any offspring have a higher change of survival.

It can be easily proven that the brain chemistry is alter by observing behaviour. The 'condition' draws parralels with being drunk (cliche I know), as the parties may act wreckless, impulsive, and quite different from their normal behavioural patter. Also, it is also said that sex has a bigger chemical release when both parties love each other.

It can be extremely pleasant, or it can be unpleasant if for whatever reason it is not reciprocated. Love of inanimate objects is possibly an exaggeration - more a case of affection. Love of (non-human) animals is valid because they can reciprocate.

It is not something that needs to be believed in - it exists as a fact. It is an involuntary, or at least consciously involuntary, reaction based on genetic and social programming.

This is so interesting to me

One of the things I am so inspired by is that this community of people whose As status supposedly denotes emotional "blockage"--- I see so many examples of intense feeling and insight.

And yet, is it a case of still waters running deep? I wish we NT's had more of a window into the inner realities of our AS partners, friends and colleagues.

out of ignorance I ask, do any of you know whether the connection between the emotional centers and the language centers has been studied? It seems like so many of you have expressed strong feelings here through words (love included)- but difficulty expressing to the object of your affections. Is this a "block" that shows up in speech and body language but not writing?

Just wondering since there are many conditions in which a person's inner experience just can't make it "out" through the speech pathways... but may find a perfectly articulate outlet through writing, singing, et al.

As for love--- I think there are two modes to consider: 1) the feeling of love as in being loved (deep affection, trust, connection that makes the person seem like a wanted and needed part of one's life, or at least a part of your life that is so enrishing that you would miss terribly if it was lost and 2) the act of love. (Giving support, regarding with kindness and the benefit of the doubt, validating their needs, returning affection to make them feel secure and wanted, looking out for one another's best interests and acting as though you are a team).

Also, it is worht considering the different manifestations of love.

Agape- love for mankind or brotherly love.

Romantic Love- abiding affection, compassion, tenderness and desire for a partner as well as a feeling of trust and security (hopefully).

Infatuation- Often mistaken for love, but really a product of initial attraction, and chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. It has been called limerance and defined as an electrifying combination of hope and uncertainty. This could be seen as "Passion" more so than true love.

That wierd feeling in your chest, like a warm dead weight that you welcome.

I was just about to sing this, and then I read it in your post... :'(

Infant child do not chastise me for an unspecified period between now and possibly eternity.

I feel like I may have a blockage - I don't experience any of the positive chemical hits but all the others...

It has been said by some "professionals", or people who've studied it, that some people with ASD do have reduced emotional response, or lack of emotional competence.