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TED Talks Daily

How to Be a Better Human: How to embrace – and challenge – the idea of "beauty" (w / Elise Hu)

Jul 4, 2023
Elise Hu, a journalist and author of "Flawless: Lessons in looks and culture from the K-beauty industry," dives into the captivating world of beauty standards. She discusses the unrealistic ideals society imposes and their negative effects on self-worth and mental health. Elise shares her personal journey as an Asian girl in a predominantly white environment and contrasts it with her transformative experience in Korea. The conversation also touches on the intersection of beauty standards and economic class, advocating for a more inclusive perspective on beauty.
33:38

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Technology has accelerated and exaggerated global beauty standards, leading to increased pressure to conform.
  • Challenging societal beauty norms can create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all individuals.

Deep dives

The Influence of Beauty Ideals and Technology

This podcast episode explores the shifting beauty ideals and the impact of our increasingly visual world. It delves into how technology has accelerated and exaggerated global beauty standards, using personal experiences, such as the use of beauty filters on Zoom, and insights from journalist Elise Hu's book, 'Flawless.' The episode highlights the worldwide influence of beauty culture, discussing topics like skincare, plastic surgery, and the societal pressure to conform to certain standards.

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