BBC Question - AIU? Are You Ugly?

bbcemma · 6 months

One of the most obviously examples of lookism in society, when not looking at beautiful people being more successful etc, is how we choose our partners, and just as women don't like short guys, men don't like tall women. It's interesting that you note that some people who don't match up with society's definition of attractiveness are suffering as a result, when it might not be their fault, like if they are short like you. Thanks for the comment!

bbcemma · 6 months

Humans are certainly very complicated, and as it would be impossible to do documentaries simply on how complicated we are, documentaries on aspects of us are easier to make. Thank you very much for your insight, I really appreciate it!

bbcemma · 6 months

I have a pretty typical London accent. Not Eastenders accent. Just normal. Do you want to add anything about being judged on looks?

bbcemma · 6 months

Thanks. Yes, please do add stuff about reactions & first impressions based on race! (as long as it is not going to be racist, but there's certainly cross-cultural aspects to be looked at)

bbcemma · 6 months

Thank you for this comment. The Halo Effect is certainly important we've found, and would definitely want to look at in depth. Do you think this community helps people to discover what they can and can't achieve with their looks?

bbcemma · 6 months

Thanks for your comment. Do you think a lot of damage can be done by horrible comments about your looks then? Do you think people need to be re-educated or is it just human nature to treat unattractive people less favourably than attractive people? Do you think there should be laws to protect lookism in the workplace maybe?

bbcemma · 6 months

We are careful to look after our contributors. Thanks for the comment!

bbcemma · 6 months

We are trying to look into whether "beautiful" people have a hard time too, and we will certainly take your point into consideration. Thanks!

bbcemma · 6 months

Thanks for the comment. What do you think about lookism, and people being judged by their looks? Is it part of human nature? Does the media make it worse? Is it something we can change?

bbcemma · 6 months

My hair grows so slowly I would not dare risk it! But thank you for the comment. Do you feel that judging people by their looks is part of human nature?

bbcemma · 6 months

Thank you for the comment! Do you have anything to add about society being lookist?

bbcemma · 6 months

Do you think people judge solely on looks in relation to sex? How do you think that affects people who might not be as attractive?

bbcemma · 6 months

Hope you are glad it wasn't. Do you have anything to add on whether our society is lookist or not, and who is to blame?

bbcemma · 6 months

That's definitely something to consider - that the preferential treatment varies from person to person. Thanks for the comment!

bbcemma · 6 months

Do you think maybe it's hard for pretty people to have friends who just hang around because they are pretty? Thanks for the comment!

bbcemma · 6 months

That's code for "Ugly as sin" right? Do you think people should care more about personality than looks?

bbcemma · 6 months

That is something we haven't considered. We've looked at the significance in general, but not how age can affect it. Thanks for the comment!

bbcemma · 6 months

Hi, thanks for the comment. I'm sorry to hear you feel suspicious of positive feedback and that you're being judged negatively. Is this something that has grown over time? If so, what influenced you to feel like this?

bbcemma · 6 months

So you're saying if you're ugly, you'll know it? Do you think you'll know this because you've judged yourself, or because other people have judged you and told you that you're ugly?

bbcemma · 6 months

Do you ever feel like you wish you could feel good about yourself without the make up though? I really appreciate this comment. It's great to see someone who thinks from a different perspective, and looking at it as though a little bit of lookism and being judged by our looks does us no real harm. Thanks!

bbcemma · 6 months

Thank you VERY MUCH for this comment! I love Scarlett Johansson, she is awesome. And that is just one example of someone looking up to a celebrity because she is beautiful (but also because I think she's a good actress). Does anyone think that the celebrity obsessed culture we have has increased our desire to be beautiful and also increased our intolerance (if there is any) of unattractive people?

bbcemma · 6 months

Thanks! Do you think we are especially judgemental in the UK, or not as bad as other countries? Who do you think is to blame for us being judgemental?

bbcemma · 6 months

We are looking at whether people think that Lookism is something that needs to be dealt with in society - and who is to blame for it. Is it the media and the constant bombardment of "beautiful" people in adverts, on television and in films? Or is it human nature? And if it is human nature, can we change that, and how lookist are we really? If you have a personal story to share about being overlooked because of your looks, then please share :)

bbcemma · 6 months

:D thank you for the comment!

bbcemma · 6 months

Thank you for your comment! Do you think it's worse to be average in America than anywhere else in the world? Does beauty matter to the same degree anywhere else? Also, I am consistently told I look "twelve", and I am 22... Also, studies have indeed found that if a more attractive person goes for a position, in the scenario you suggest, they will succeed. Unless they are a rather good-looking woman being interviewed by a not so good-looking woman. Women are less accepting of better looking women.

bbcemma

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