What is Beauty? There are thousands of pages devoted to it, studies trying to understand it and a million cliches surrounding it. We are obsessed with it, but do we understand it?
I've done my due diligence this week and have been all over reading about the subject. It's kind of incredible so much time and effort has gone into trying to answer the question of beauty. Are we hard wired? Is there a universal standard? Does it change? How do we perceive it?
To try and cut down what will probably be a long post anyway, I'm going to stick with Rory's theme, personal beauty. It occupies kind of a unique place in the pantheon any way.
Most studies agree, beauty is average. In visual cuing, we look for symmetry in faces. The most attractive face is a composite of many faces with no outstanding features. It is easiest for us see, process and recognize. Explains that baby study.
Strangely we don't see symmetry in any other form as more or less appealing. In studies, symmetrical buildings were not seen as any more appealing that their less symmetrical counterparts. In landscaping, plantings are done in odd mumbers. In home decor, perfect symmetry is perceived as cold and univiting. No real surprise, there is no real universal standard. Beauty is very subjective.
Most studies are done on quick visual tests of strangers. Extended further, rating, getting to know the subjects, then rating again, the ratings change. How we feel about the person affects how we see them. No real surprise there.
Why all the fuss? It is a bazillion dollar industry. It drives fashion, cosmetics and advertising to name just a few. So who decides what is beautiful? Most people would say the media. We are innundating with images every day. I'm not sure I'd agree with that.
There is really only one reason I don't. Media in all of its forms, is giving us a reflection of what we ask for. Let's face it, if that star doesn't bring in the audience, no movie, no contract, no fame. If that supermodel doesn't move product, if we're not buying what they're selling, see ya,. If that face on the cover doesn't sell the magazine, next. It may be simplistic but I don't see the media creating anything. They give us what we want, our vanities, fantasies, dreams or fears reflected back. They do it well because there is a lot of money at stake.
We send out very mixed messages. To our girls, we say you are beautiful, strong, what you look like doesn't matter. How many television shows or magazines feature the smart, braces wearing girl who can calculate Pi to 100 decimels without a calculator. No, we have, Toddlers in Tiaras. A whole generation has been convinced body hair is "unsightly". Think your father ever worried about "manscaping"? Afraid of getting older? We can fix that. We buy into it, all of it. We end up setting the standards with what we'll watch, what we'll buy.
We also know it is complete fiction, we have for decades. Behind every movie, magazine cover or television ad, there are teams of stylists for hair, make up and clothes, photographers making sure the angles and lighting are the most flattering, then the editors erasing every flaw with software programs, culling hundreds of images to find, the one. It is complete make believe. We make the associations, they sell it to us.
Now for some eye candy.
Don't get it
Don't get it
Sorry Rory, don't get it ROFL
Get it
Get it
Get it
Completely don't get it
Don't get it
Get it
Get it
Completely get it
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Quintessential I get it
A small sampling of the faces that appeal to me or ones I just don't get why all the fuss. I don't think any are ugly, just don't understand how/why they stand out. As you can see, we all have our own ideas about what is beautiful.
Beauty is ever changing and eternal. Some things are beautiful because they are fleeting, like youth. Ultimately, beauty is where you find it, in the eye of the beholder. Take a look, it's all around you.
I wouldn't be a good Canadian without paying tribute to Bob and Doug, " Beauty, eh." Now I'm off to get a beer. Happy Valentine's Day every one.
dissing on my dream lover! I have the power to delete links you know!! and why poor Georgie? LOL
ReplyDelete(oddly I find him appealing after I a couple of great movies roles, and for Leo, after 11th hour and his commitment to the environment - so, external and internal/talent kind of merged there.)
but of course, since you added on the beauty no one could possible argue against (Moon River is playing in my head now) I will keep the link.
and, well, you nailed it too, as always. enjoy the beer. this may or may not have been a semi-tipsy on strawberry wine and chocolate truffles comment ;)
LOL, sorry, still don't get Mr Potter and Georgie looks like he would be fun to hang out with but don't understand why he's so "hot". Leo, just kind of weird and creepy lookin' All talented, enjoy what they do. but ....
ReplyDeleteMs Hepburn really was beautiful, inside and out, thanks for not deleting me. Now I've got that song in my head as well, but that's okay, I like it.
Enjoy the wine and truffles.
I agree that we set the standard for beauty, not the media. Our society blames everything on the media-when really it is our own fault. If we didn't watch Toddlers & Tiara's it wouldn't be on the air, correct? Sadly, for each person who thinks the show is gross there is one who aspires to it. Same for too skinny models and botoxed faces.
ReplyDeletePS. I get George Clooney-but not Channing Tatum. Maybe I'm just old.
I hear you Bridget. I find that show so disturbing on so many levels but.... I think the worst one had to be "The Swan". That was just bizzare.
DeleteI get Channing Tatum but uhm he's not a very good actor. God divides. Still don't get George.
Paul, I find you to be a very good writer. It appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's all! I have nothing bitchy or witty to add.
m.
Right back at you Mark. You're gonna make me blush.
Deletebeauty is a kind heart.
ReplyDeleteThat's true beauty that lasts.
Deletemy oh my .... you have really put your foot in it here drawing the line between 'got it' and 'don't'! I suppose this is where a droll person would say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." But because I am not a droll person I will just say this, "Beauty is... as beauty does."
ReplyDeleteLOL, I thought I would get a lot more flack about that than I have. It's great that we all have our own ideas about what is appealling.
ReplyDeleteBeauty is as beauty does, too true. Strange how quickly beauty can become ugly and vice vesa just by how they act.
Oh how I love this post!!! And all your get it's and not get its:) Well, I agree completely. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I would venture to say, we can find beauty in EVERYTHING, if only we look:) Love your blog. I'm following YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Niki I could have gone on and on with the get it and don't part. I agree there is beauty in everyone and thing if only we look.
DeleteLove your piece of the interweb and I'm following along with you too.
Sounds to me like you like simple, girl next door, kind of beauty. My husband feels the same way. He says he feels nothing for Cindy Crawford, but really likes Sandra Bullock.
ReplyDeleteI do like simple beauty as opposed to "constructed or manufactured". I do think Cindy is attractive but Sandra has those beautiful eyes. I'm always a little surprised she's never really up there in the lists of Hollywood beauties.
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