Illusions of Beauty

Why do people think that their self worth is linked directly with their physical appearance? Maybe someone somewhere truly doesn't care, but I have yet to meet that person. Everything in our society dictates to us that we need to fit the "image" in order to have any success in life. But the way in which they convinced us was so very clever. Here in America, we are all about choice. We want to choose which fast food restaurant will serve us almost the exact same food, for the exact same cost and calorie content. We want to choose everything, and it gives us the illusion of freedom. Yes, freedom is an illusion because in reality, we are slaves to our own desires, and those desires can be manipulated by those around us. Its a very simple technique that enslaved the American people, and most of the world for that matter. It's called advertising. And its not just the commercials that interrupted that movie you were just watching. But wait, why were you watching the movie? You heard it was good? That's advertising. You read a description? Advertising. Seen it before and enjoyed it? You now advertise that movie to others. You help enslave others. But is it really our faults, or is it more a defect of human nature, that we would like to be herd animals, of sorts. We like to have our minds made up for us on issues we don't really care about. Like fashion and beauty. Who decided that "blonde would have more fun" or that blue eyes made someone pretty? Who said that being tall and skinny was beautiful? And that you then needed all the clothes and accessories to go with it, and that will make you beautiful. And it changes, every season, what clothes will make you look the best.

With all that said, I still care. I have fallen into the trap of thinking, "If I buy this, and wear it, then people will think it looks good on me and I will gain 'pretty points'," and I like where I am. Its easier than thinking for myself, that's fo sho.