This exchange between an unhappy online-dating fellow and an advice columnist is telling. It reveals much about lookism and modern life, especially in and around Manchester, England where the Guardian is based. During two sabbaticals there, I learned how vibrant the youth and dating culture is in Manchester. Oasis and many other pop music groups sprang from the city in northern England that boasts the most college students of any city in England.Lookism advice for the lovelorn?Dear Abby, I mean, … [Read more...]
Lookism’s ugly side & how we can counter it.
As some who has taught sociology, a piece by sociologist Heather Laine Talley caught my eye the other day. I especially noticed her comment that lookism, like sexism and other -isms, is often unconscious and taken for granted. So true. Our society may've gone overboard around unconscious, so-called "white privilege" in discussions about the big -ism of our day, racism. But it is worth examining the little-mentioned issues of lookism and ableism, especially as they relate to people with … [Read more...]
Lookism’s #1 pageant to help cleft lip kids.
"Lookism" can surprise you. The current Miss Universe—and fellow "lookers" models Christie Brinkley and Kristen Taekman— are "ambassadors" for the cleft charity Smile Train. (Singer Jessica Simpson and models Vanessa Lachey and Molly Sims likewise beat the drum for Operation Smile).My favorite "looker" supporting clefts is Roma Downey, an Irish actress known for her nine seasons as Monica, the tender-hearted angel on the TV show Touched by an Angel. Ms. Downey is more than just a looker, she's … [Read more...]
Lookism: Eateries hide ugly diners in the back.
The owner of Greens––a well-regarded neighborhood restaurant serving inventive, globally inspired meat-free cuisine––comments on how seating works in some eateries. I've been to his restaurant in the Didsbury section of Manchester, England. I guess the host who seated the couple who took me found us "passable" 'cuz he seated us in the middle of the Greens' dining space. Lookism at work? Read on. Greens vegetarian Restaurant Laura Armstrong's article in The Sun … [Read more...]
Automated lookism? Robots to judge beauty contest.
Steve Harvey's recent mistake* as emcee crowning the wrong Miss Universe caused some of us to reflect on the silliness of choosing winners among a bunch of perfect-10 females. Well, now there's the possibility that robots may soon do the choosing. Is that a good thing? Perhaps, because there won't be any judges or emcees to kick around . . . tho Miss Universe pageant directors want Harvey back in 2016. Perhaps, too, it'd be a good thing because the robots presumably will choose the same … [Read more...]
Is it lookism to ask Santa for 2 front teeth?
A popular song, dating back to the '40s, starts with, "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth." Most of us finally got our two front (permanent) teeth as second or third graders (age 7-8 y.o.). Some new research suggests that missing or bad teeth can age a person in many ways. But, don't worry, there's hope, as the article below states. If you feel good about your teeth, you smile more. And that makes you more youthful appearing according to some studies. All this … [Read more...]
A presidential candidate’s way to end lookism.
While my dog Monte Blue–the Anti-bully Warrior—shared a link to this story on a couple of social media outlets, I think it's funny (or sick) enough to share here.Lookism?Admittedly, the "lookism" referred to here is different from the lookism I blog about, the problems the would-be presidential candidate addresses interconnect with bullying and discrimination which I do write about. Here is the story which came in the form of a letter to TribLive– part of a Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Tribune … [Read more...]