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Philosophy: Aesthetics Unassessed

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Physical attractiveness was nominated as a good article, but it did not meet the good article criteria at the time (No date specified. To provide a date use: {{FailedGA|insert date in any format here}}, reviewed version). There are suggestions below for improving the article. If you can improve it, please do; it may then be renominated.

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Talk:Physical attractiveness/Archive 1 Talk:Physical attractiveness/Archive 2

Obesity?

Why does it always say that being thin is "judged as being attractive in Western culture". Is there ANY culture in the world where obesity is considered attractive? If no one defends this I'm going to go ahead and be bold by removing the POV dogshit. 76.223.237.10 16:36, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Define "obesity". Refer to the Rubenesque period in English history. There are many local tribes that do not share westerner's newfound love of thinness.--Loodog 22:59, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Check out "steatopygy" as well, a highly attractive feature in some cultures. __Just plain Bill 01:05, 30 August 2007 (UTC)

Pictures, again.

I do not believe there should be pictures in this article at all. To put a picture'in an article about physical attractiveness is POV. I say someone is attractive, you do not. You say someone is, I agree, someone else does not. Just because the person in the picture may meet statistical evidence of what some polled people consider attractive does not mean that person is attractive. So I propose we remove all pictures. i  04:20, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Hi, we've been through this. I personally don't find any of the people posted in image form attractive; they function as visual aides in demonstrating characteristics that have been shown to be attractive cross culturally.--Loodog 05:15, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Would you mind giving me sources that show a large majority of the human race find certain attributes attractive, one for both men and women, and then sources that say the subjects of these photos meet them? i  05:19, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

The sources are all over the page.--Loodog 14:24, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

I'd have to second this, much as sexual attraction this article should be without any pictures, people have different preferences. I for one don't find a skinny, blonde model with what are most likely fake breasts, and enough make-up to shame Mimi Bobeck, attractive, and I'm sure many other people don't as well. Revrant 02:56, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Hi, let me just quote myself since you've ignored it: "I personally don't find any of the people posted in image form attractive; they function as visual aides in demonstrating characteristics that have been shown to be attractive cross culturally.--Loodog 05:15, 19 August 2007 (UTC)"--Loodog 04:05, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

No, I did not, and I'd appreciate refraining from such veiled insults in the future, blonde, over-tanned, make-up lathered, and quite possibly anorexic women are not considered attractive cross-culturally, how do I know this? They may just be in a short supply across Asia and many other places in the world. Also, deeply tanned men with exaggerated muscles are not considered attractive cross culturally, again most notably in Asia, though extending to places such as Africa and Europe.

I reiterate, this article simply should not have pictures, what society and magazines feel is acceptable and attractive has little bearing on the reality of things, which is quite subjective and open to debate, and I'd fully support removing pictures if it was put up to a vote. Revrant 05:46, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

Let me try again: "I personally don't find any of the people posted in image form attractive; they function as visual aides in demonstrating characteristics that have been shown to be attractive cross culturally."--Loodog 21:06, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

I won't be replying to you again, when you can find a less insulting tone, you get back to me. Revrant 06:36, 26 August 2007 (UTC)

What I'm saying is: Don't misconstrue every trait and appearance in the picture as something held or asserted to be universally attractive. The caption doesn't even mention Michelle Merkin or her skinniness or whatever trait you are repulsed by. It says "Features such as a symmetrical face, full lips, and low waist-hip ratio are commonly considered attractive." If I showed you a picture of Buffalo City Hall, to demonstrate the concept of Art Deco, you wouldn't think that its being tall makes it an example of Art Deco.--Loodog 03:16, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for moving towards intelligent discussion, I fully understood what you were trying to relay, but that's entirely too subjective, Art Deco is heavily defined, and it's quite easy to find present examples of it in architecture, physical attractiveness varies wildly, and there is simply no logic in providing pictures for it. Revrant 06:03, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

"physical attractiveness varies wildly, and there is simply no logic in providing pictures for it". If you honestly believe this, then this article can't be written at all.--Loodog 00:02, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

Of course it can, there simply must be some kind of separation, between the article itself and the perception of the topic at hand, if pictures simply must exist, they cannot exist as examples of physically attractive people, but under their own section, and could logically include what other cultures perceive to be physically attractive under this section. Right now, as it is, there is very little separation between the perception and the fact, which is extremely subjective and varies wildly, I think that is a viable solution. Revrant 07:24, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Then, insofar as attractive traits can be specified, they can be demonstrated. The pictures make no claim about attributes the pictured people have that have not been shown cross culturally to be attractive.--Loodog 12:50, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Good gracious, yes they have, simply by being featured so prominently, and I think the two should be separated for the sake of perception, what magazines and some of society feel is physically attractive has little sway with the public at large, and are extremely subjective. Listing what might be considered attractive versus pictures demonstrating models is a rather large gap, especially with pictures having such a wide appeal versus words, which allow people to fill in the gaps themselves. There is absolutely no argument for having pictures without attaching them very directly to being merely what might be "perceived" as attractive, and considering the vast array on ethnicities present on, well, Earth, the fact of the matter is, a thin, white, tan, blonde model cannot be attractive cross culturally in any meaningful way. Revrant 21:12, 30 August 2007 (UTC)

Reread my last point.--Loodog 21:18, 30 August 2007 (UTC)

- sorry to butt in, but all the pictures are of white people. I think that if pictures are necessary, it might be better if they represented more types of people. 24.74.141.22 01:54, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Hi. If you can find free pictures of attractive people of other races, you are welcome to change the images, though, keep in mind, that between three images, you're not going to get a mirror of American demographics here.--Loodog 02:47, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Abdominal muscle tone/adiposity: indicators of pregnancy

Not sure "adiposity" is even a word, but I believe that (straight) males are biased toward females with flat tummies, to avoid hooking up with a pregnant mate, and thus supporting someone else's genes. Pretty sure there is a reference or two to be found for this. Am guessing this would fit in the "Proportion of Body Mass" section.

Went looking for references and found this, which points out that the pregnant female form was considered an "ideal of beauty" at some times in some places, to the extent that there was a brief fashion of women padding their abdomens...

For now, given that complication, I'll just leave this as a note on the discussion page. __Just plain Bill 12:27, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Ugly people

If we're going to keep the photos of models, can we also have some pictures of ugly people, in order to illustrate physical features that studies have shown people find repellent?--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 03:12, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

The title of this section made me laugh. I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. Anyway, to the question, I'm not so sure. I mean, that would be better-suited in the article Ugliness. But for either article, adding pictures of people and stating that they are found to be ugly would seem more off without a source, and even with a source, would seem in bad taste. Especially if the images are of famous people. Flyer22 23:09, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

Merkin image and other images

The image of Michele Merkin has a POV description, the image itself is clearly retouched and a photoshopped composite, so we'll need a decent source identifying that this individual is considered an archetype of Western ideas of physical attractiveness before it goes back in. Guy (Help!) 14:07, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

The description of Merkin should probably be changed, but that image is a featured image, and I don't see anything wrong with that image itself being the main (lead) image of this article. This article is already sourced with what people find physically attractive, and these images are displaying what this article already says is considered physically attractive, such as full lips, abs, etc. If we should provide valid sources within these image descriptions that reference these people as being considered physically attractive, then that should be easy enough. Flyer 18:00, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

I've been down the picture road so many times on this article, I don't care anymore. Originally, this article had no pictures, and someone put up a "request for picture" template. I put up Jessica Alba as someone who obviously has big youthful lips, long thick hair, the appearance of clear skin, and also verifiably has the pan-cultural desirable characteristic WHR of .70. The image was her on the cover of Playboy with the cover stating that she was one of the "hottest" people. There were objections and the image was fair use instead of free so the image was changed to Merkin. I don't think she's particularly attractive, though I concede that she demonstrates the qualities discussed.

That's when people came here and started misconstruing what this article is about and viscerally objecting to the idea of putting an objective wrapping on the irrefutably subjective concept of beauty. Others said that putting any image up implies that person to be the ultimate standard of beauty in spite of the caption explicitly mentioning the picture as a demonstration of the qualities discussed, thusly imposing an ethnocentric standard of beauty on the world. Do what you will.--Loodog 18:59, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

Loodog, it may be inappropriate to say, but this post of yours made me want to clap, and yell, "Tell it like it is!" It sounds like you know that there is nothing wrong with having Merkin as the main image within this article, or having the other images exist within this article. And if so, you know that I agree with you. I just don't see the problem with Merkin or any of these images being examples, when it is clear that all they are doing is demonstrating features that this article already states (with valid sources) are physically attractive. Flyer22 19:09, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

I would recommend adding lots of images. There are famous iconic images of beauty from a variety of civilizations though out history from a famous African statue to ancient Greek depictions of icons of beauty to Indian sacred art depicting classic beauties etc. WAS 4.250 20:57, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

Not a bad suggestion, of course. Flyer22 22:59, 3 November 2007 (UTC)

children

Children are by definition beautiful. And since many people (pedophiles) are atracted to them in a physical way, shouldn't be at least one picture of a child? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 200.73.179.226 (talk) 07:25, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

Uh...not if it's because pedophiles are attracted to them. And if it's not about the pedophiles, this article is more so focusing on physical attractiveness as being sexually or romantically attracted to a person. When most people think of physical attractiveness, they think in terms of sexual/romantic feelings, not on the simple basis of cute, such as a child being cute. Flyer22 (talk) 08:03, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

Physical_attractiveness#Waist-hip_ratio i don't think this image really meets the article's criteria, but to some she might be beautiful. Just.. Not me. 72.77.93.122 (talk) 01:27, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

You're talking about the woman in the Signals of youth section. Well, it's mainly just pointing out how her youthfulness is a desired physical trait. Flyer22 (talk) 05:37, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Oh, wait, you were probably talking about that picture that a newcomer put up in that section. If so, it's now removed. Flyer22 (talk) 05:40, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Focus of eyes during porn watching

Cheeser, I will reiterate what I said in my edit summary. The focus of men and women's eyes during the viewing of sexual activity is far from a "Social effect of attractiveness". Take a look at the rest of that section. It is also not relevant to physical attractiveness in general. Try human sexuality, sexual intercourse, human sexual behavior, sexual stimulation, or even pornography.--Loodog (talk) 23:16, 19 December 2007 (UTC)

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