Beauty Distorted.

Miho · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject: Beauty Distorted.

I think every girl AND boy needs to watch this.
I know I coulda posted it in the video thread, but I think it warrants a thread unto itself.
Because, wow.
If we want to be considered "pretty" by the rest of the world you need to live up to Model A and if you're only as pretty as model B, your nothing. When in reality, those models don't even look like themselves.
It's remarkable how much can be done nowadays:
Evolution
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Nem · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 2114 Location: England

The urge to make one pretty is inherently an urge to distort what is at the time that urge comes about. To make; to alter the reality of a thing. Whether it's attained with makeup, surgery, computer programs or some combination thereof is really irrespective in my mind compared to the intent to deceive - there are always going to be people out there who are willing to go to extremes in order to do so and people who are not.

None of us really look like ourselves*, we look like the effects of our image modifying urges as assessed against cultural standards - and those image modifying urges increase those cultural standards, like a resonant feedback loop between a speaker and a microphone.

The interesting thing here is that people are essentially complaining that it's unfair that they can't be beautiful; but of course it was never the case that everyone could be beautiful in the first place - whether by separations of wealth, genetic disposition, lifestyle choice, or culture - beauty has always been an exclusive ideal. Some people are going to be seen as ugly, the questions are ones of whom and how many.

Of course the other interesting thing is like the feedback loop between a microphone and a speaker the more people back off with it the less the effect. So in a sense I find it rather disingenuous of all these people who complain about the beauty standard and then go out and conform to it. It’s like complaining about pollution while driving a tank to work.

Not that, all that said, I think the situation is as serious as people make it out to be; mainly because the standard shown there is impossible for most people to conform to. If you see someone like that just walking down the street do you honestly think ‘beautiful’ or do a host of slightly less complimentary slogans fly through your mind? I know in my case the latter is more likely to be true.

*Well, that really depends upon whether you view humans as anything more complex that the interactions of value systems I suppose. The claim that we don't look like ourselves could be a claim that our image doesn't betray the entirety of our identity - but that's just trivially true in the context of the discussion.

Of course the other view I suppose assumes that there is some image of ourselves that does look like ourselves - but that's not exactly true in that sense either, I am not my surface appearance.

Uh, unless you're looking at my brain and have an understanding of the chemical exchanges and so on I guess. But please don't; I kinda like my brain being non-visible ^_^
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Miho · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

I like nem.
He makes me think.
Hmmmm.
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spawnofjaws · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

I've seen that video proably a hundred times, and it still makes me feel the same..... Smile

have you seen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epOg1nWJ4T8?
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Asa · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject:

Mmm, and how about this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV8JardV74w&NR=1

theBSDude · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

Meh. I usually think like Nem. I'm pretty cynical too, though.
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spawnofjaws · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

I have to dissagree with Nem and Thebes. I know for a fact that I am attractive or at least pretty to pretty much everyone I know.
I also like to stroke my ego, so....
look! it's me and my bro!
http://nevi.deviantart.com/art/hans-and-gret-140269345
I love my little snot-nosed brat!
Also, I think my brother is probably good-looking, too...
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In my brain, I'm someone famous AND important!
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Keeper of Oliblish and Teh Poodle Stick....
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Nem · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 2114 Location: England

spawnofjaws · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:25 pm Post subject:

XD **hugs nem**
I knew what you were talking about, I was just being difficult and narcissistic... Very Happy

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In my brain, I'm someone famous AND important!
Dubbed 'Egg' by ASA, but also responds to "spegg"...
Keeper of Oliblish and Teh Poodle Stick....
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Tinu. · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject:

I'd seen the first video before, but not the second one. And the third one is just . . . mean.
Honestly, society's obsession with being beautiful and "perfect" is slightly sickening, because, as Nem pointed out, it's not possible in everyday circumstances.

And really, I don't think models are terribly pretty - most of the time they just look scary. Like they want to eat you or something. oO;
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DarkwingPsycho · Joined: 22 Jun 2009 Posts: 86 Location: Utah, USA

I love those Dove videos. Mainly because, although they sell beauty products, they are also selling the idea that it's okay to not conform to the general - and totally unreachable - idea of beauty. People are so obsessed with reaching an unattainable standard that there is a sickening increase in low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders. I see it everyday. I'm a therapist, after all.

I realize and understand some people can separate the reality of beauty from the unrealistic magazine photos, and that there is a desirable and alluring ethereal quality surrounding what is being promoted as beautiful, but I don't think that the general public can separate those ideals.

It's a subconscious thing, too, as well as conscious.
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