Scars, Raspy Voices, and Worn Clothes: The Enduring Appeal of "Survived Hardship" as a Signal

A recent social media commentary by user "triangulation" has sparked discussion on the psychological and semiotic underpinnings of why signs of "survived hardship" are often perceived as appealing. The post posits that traits like scars, raspy voices, and even deliberately worn clothing function as "hard to fake" signals of resilience, drawing parallels to evolutionary costly signaling theory and Charles S. Peirce's semiotic concept of an index.

The core argument centers on costly signaling theory, a concept in evolutionary psychology suggesting that individuals convey honest information about their quality through displays that are expensive or difficult to fake. As noted by the commentator, "Every scar has a story: it signals its holder has faced hardship—and managed to prevail." This inherent cost makes the signal credible, as only those with genuine underlying qualities can afford to display them. This aligns with broader research indicating that traits requiring significant investment or risk can reliably signal fitness and desirable characteristics.

From a semiotic perspective, the commentary highlights Charles S. Peirce's distinction between an "index" and a "symbol." Scars, for instance, are classified as indices because their relationship to the signified (a past injury or experience) is causal and direct, rather than arbitrary or conventional like a symbol. Tattoos, while artificial, are argued to "borrow their aesthetic appeal from the logic of scarring," inviting observers to interpret them as personal history due to their permanence and inscription on the skin, even if the narrative is chosen.

The analysis extends to other physical and vocal traits, such as raspy voices, which often result from strain or intense emotional exertion and are interpreted as an "acoustic trace of hardship or a life lived with intensity." The commentator points out a "sex asymmetry" in this appeal, suggesting that raspy voices in women, unlike in men (e.g., Janis Joplin versus Joe Cocker), do not typically enjoy the same popularity, potentially because the "survived hardship" quality is valorized differently across genders in mating contexts. Similarly, weathered faces and calloused hands are cited as indices of lived experience, particularly appealing in men.

The commentary concludes by noting a complex "communicative problem" for individuals: how to effectively signal resilience and experience without inadvertently conveying negative cues such as low status (e.g., "broken clothes because he is poor") or poor health (e.g., "scars, wrinkles or raspy voice because he is sick"). This delicate balance underscores how many cultural forms navigate the trade-offs between advertising valuable, costly experiences and suppressing signals that might diminish perceived social or mate value.