Monday, July 21, 2008

So what does "Pretty" and "Ugly" really mean?

The answer to that question is unknowable. Worse, it is concealed from us by Photoshop and makeup. "Beauty" is a fantasy. So is "Ugly." Maybe "Attraction" is knowable, but I wouldn't count on it. Here's a good article on the subject.

And if you wonder why a blog that normally focuses on politics and economics is referring you to this, I also try to understand psychology. This subject is a biggie. Consideration of this subject is one of the major things that makes us human. Economically it drives a almost all advertising and a lot of sales. Politically? It matters a lot. Personally? Well, the consideration of our own beauty or lack thereof drives a lot of what we do with our lives. How much of race prejudice is driven by concepts of beauty? And where do those concepts come from?

The article addresses unrealistic concepts of Beauty. As for the other questions, I really have no answers, just more questions. But for damned sure, "beauty" and "ugliness" is central to being human.

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