Funny how, despite all the above, those "beautiful" people whose looks we aspire to do not seem to have happier lives overall than the rest of us not-specials. I'm thinking of the kaleidoscopic and entertaining cast of stars, celebs and assorted bits of eye-candy who enliven our media landscapes with tale after torrid tale of heartbreak, desertion, divorce and desperate struggles to stay thin, wrinkle-free, dewy, fit and hot. I know it's all click-bait, "the never-ending-saga of" tosh but, even so, what a life, eh? Is being a super-attractive hamster on a treadmill any better than being an average/plain one? Maybe yes in the hamster's head. But only there.
It’s such a tricky one because I guess the flipside is that you do get extra privileges etc which might lead to less distress in some ways, but ultimately as you say you can be ‘beautiful’ and utterly miserable!
It's true that there is a vast amount of studies and theories on how average is pleasant, but some may argue that the strikingly beautiful people are not average. Those beautiful people you turn around to look at, might have something that sets them apart. A gap in their teeth, a beauty spot, a unibrow, eyes far apart. Something unique and far from average. (also, please help me out with this one because I only have a faint memory of reading about it, the theory that imprisonment for some crimes could be substituted for reverse plastic surgery to make someone look "ugly" therefore ruining their life in society by branding them as "evil". again, can't recollect who said this!)
Fascinating piece thank you. It reminded me of this book by Zara Stone. It’s about a strange period in US history when prisoners were offered free plastic surgery to make them more attractive (and, the theory went, less likely to reoffend) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killer-Looks-Forgotten-History-Plastic/dp/1633886727/
Funny how, despite all the above, those "beautiful" people whose looks we aspire to do not seem to have happier lives overall than the rest of us not-specials. I'm thinking of the kaleidoscopic and entertaining cast of stars, celebs and assorted bits of eye-candy who enliven our media landscapes with tale after torrid tale of heartbreak, desertion, divorce and desperate struggles to stay thin, wrinkle-free, dewy, fit and hot. I know it's all click-bait, "the never-ending-saga of" tosh but, even so, what a life, eh? Is being a super-attractive hamster on a treadmill any better than being an average/plain one? Maybe yes in the hamster's head. But only there.
It’s such a tricky one because I guess the flipside is that you do get extra privileges etc which might lead to less distress in some ways, but ultimately as you say you can be ‘beautiful’ and utterly miserable!
It's true that there is a vast amount of studies and theories on how average is pleasant, but some may argue that the strikingly beautiful people are not average. Those beautiful people you turn around to look at, might have something that sets them apart. A gap in their teeth, a beauty spot, a unibrow, eyes far apart. Something unique and far from average. (also, please help me out with this one because I only have a faint memory of reading about it, the theory that imprisonment for some crimes could be substituted for reverse plastic surgery to make someone look "ugly" therefore ruining their life in society by branding them as "evil". again, can't recollect who said this!)
Ah I think Katie mentioned this below - the book looks brilliant too - have a look! xx
Fascinating piece thank you. It reminded me of this book by Zara Stone. It’s about a strange period in US history when prisoners were offered free plastic surgery to make them more attractive (and, the theory went, less likely to reoffend) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Killer-Looks-Forgotten-History-Plastic/dp/1633886727/
I knew a bit about this but I didn't realise there was a book!! It's such a fascinating topic! Thanks for the rec!!
Wow that's 100% the opposite of what I was thinking!! Amazing
Sorry that reads as nasty and sarcastic. I'm genuinely fascinated