Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation Arabelle Sicardi - Plastic Surgery in Mormonism, Biohacking, and the Beauty Industry
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Oct 15, 2025 
Arabelle Sicardi, a writer and image theorist, dives into the intricate web of the beauty industry and its psychological impacts. She explores why Utah sees high rates of plastic surgery within Mormon communities and discusses how beauty ideals create cult-like dynamics, influencing women to align with unrealistic standards. The conversation touches on luxury's role in isolating us from global exploitation and the troubling normalization of beauty procedures among Gen Z. Ultimately, Arabelle champions the idea that true beauty lies in fostering genuine human connections over superficial aesthetics.
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Beauty As Political And Personal Force
- Arabelle Sicardi frames beauty as both terror and care, linking personal anxieties to political systems.
- She shows beauty's industry ties to power, labor, and global supply chains affecting real lives.
Body Hacking Is A Longevity Impulse
- 'Body hacking' describes interventions aimed at delaying aging or optimizing life span.
- Arabelle ties anti-aging, wellness fads, and transhumanist projects to the impulse to avoid death.
Gendered Marketing In Wellness And Beauty
- Wellness for men is marketed as optimization and strength while women's anti-aging is framed as erasure of age.
- Arabelle highlights gendered messaging in longevity and beauty industries.
