While I don't agree with the some of the ideas of evolution supported by many scientists, sometimes they draw some interesting conclusions. I read this Washington Post article, If It Feels Good to Be Good, It Might Be Only Natural, with an open mind.

This part jumped out at me:

The results were showing that when the volunteers placed the interests of others before their own, the generosity activated a primitive part of the brain that usually lights up in response to food or sex. Altruism, the experiment suggested, was not a superior moral faculty that suppresses basic selfish urges but rather was basic to the brain, hard-wired and pleasurable.

Their findings suggest that we find as much pleasure in the act of giving as we do in eating good food or having sex. Perhaps this is why, when I give something without return expectations, I feel so good about myself.

What are your opinions on this? Does it make you feel good when you give something? Does it matter whether it's a material thing, or something not quite as tangible?

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Do you read adult-oriented blogs? Does it bother you to view nudity or sex? If it does, you need to stay away from The Sanctuary. Justin (aka Sirrion) posts a lot of adult pictures on his blog. It's not all about that, though, as you would see if you followed the link. Even though sex may be his primary topic, he does talk about other things, such as politics and his personal life. I visit his blog from time to time (and of course I look at the pictures) because I enjoy his candid and honest opinions. I wish more people were as open as this guy.