I have always wondered if beauty is a cultural phenomenon, or whether there is a universal measure. It seems there may well be, and it has to do with mathematics or the Golden Ratio. So it is entirely possible to find somebody of an alternate race, hot!
What has mathematics got to do with beauty? Actually, a lot. Physical attraction depends on ratio.
Our attraction to another person's body increases if that body is symmetrical and in proportion. Likewise, if a face is in proportion, we are more likely to notice it and find it beautiful. Scientists believe that we perceive proportional bodies to be more healthy.
Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of the human body emphasised its proportion. Similarly, buildings are more attractive if the proportions used follow the Golden Ratio.
Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio is based on Fibonacci Numbers, where every number in the sequence (after the second) is the sum of the previous 2 numbers:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ...
The Fibonnaci Numbers lead to the Golden Ratio:
The Golden Ratio is based on Fibonacci Numbers, where every number in the sequence (after the second) is the sum of the previous 2 numbers:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ...
The Fibonnaci Numbers lead to the Golden Ratio:
Φ = 1.618 033 ...
Physical Beauty
Why do many people feel that Jessica Simpson is beautiful?
This mask of the human face is based on the Golden Ratio. The proportions of the length of the nose, the position of the eyes and the length of the chin, all conform to some aspect of the Golden Ratio.
When placed over the photo of Jessica Simpson, we see there is a good fit (that is, the proportions of her face fit the geometrically "nice" proportions of the mask, based on the Golden Ratio).
Her beauty is mathematical!
By M. Bourne
Dr. Stephen R. Marquardt is a Southern Californian doctor (oral and maxillofacial surgery) who researched whether there truly is a way to use the Golden Ratio to measure the perfect face everybody is attracted to.
After controversially finding that human DNA structure contained a decagon that employed the measurements of the Golden Ratio -- he used those findings in creating a grid-like face mask that held the perfect measurements of Phi.
He then created a huge media sensation with that famous mask and how it always lined up perfectly with the faces of supermodels and other people who end up on People Magazine's Most Beautiful List.
Yes, there was a glaring discrepancy there (As always). The mask only applied to Caucasian people. When put over the face of say an African-American or Asian person, it didn't fit. This sickening result rightfully created a huge uproar (blah blah blah) ... and ultimately the thought that Marquardt and his foundation created a (hopefully unknowing) racial bias ... or maybe it forced people to wonder if the Golden Ratio really is divinely-inspired.
Source: Associated Content
6 Opinion(s):
I've seen documentaries in which the issue of beauty is discussed and how our brain is wired to perceive proportion and symmetry in potential mates and in every instance it is mainly Caucasian attributes that work best and are the most appealing, which can also include members of other races where traces of white features are present like in some Indians, certain Middle Eastern Arabs etc. All else looks as appealing as hairless gorillas, the Bantu for instance. And don't even mention the Chinese. Or the Australian aboriginal which by my book is THE UGLIEST race on earth.
Do you practice plastic surgery in your spare time, VI?
Lol. Unfortunately good looks don't always equate to high intelligence.
BTW: Have you ever noticed that many exceptionally good looking men marry plain women if they're not gay? It may be the peacock syndrome, or nature finding a balance.
@Dachshund. You are correct. However, interesting you mention it, intelligent people are, on average, better looking. Good looking people tend to marry up. Therefore good looks tend to cluster around intelligence. I am not averse to a little nipping and tucking, to stay within the Golden Ratio.
why are all the good looking women marrying rich ugly men?
Surely that uglies-out the gene pool?
Or, maybe ugly was evolved-out years ago, and what we think is ugly now, is actually nothing like what was ugly in the 15th century?
food for thought...
@Viking: "why are all the good looking women marrying rich ugly men?" Because good looking women marry up. QED.
Must do a post on the debunking of the romance myth and why women are choosing to marry good providers instead of trying to do it all ... common sense prevails again.
Women tend to marry more for money as it is an indicator of whether or not the man will be a good provider. After that, her "mating dance," i.e. her social behavior, gets more provocative than that of most single women (literal interpretation - at a night club, most of the married women would be some of the wildest dancers). Also, after a woman has security, she can play the field (albeit against religious moral standards), and thus the hot wife of an ugly rich guy will, at the very least, look at hot guys and would be inclined by nature, to want to, and not unlikely to act, have sex with said hot guy(s) satisfying a natural urge to produce a child with a better genetic blueprint. If money were truly not an issue, rich ugly men would be much more likely to have a mate who mirrors their own physical sexual attraction. That said - all factors considered, water finds it's own level.
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