TED Tech How to embrace – and challenge – the idea of “beauty” in the technological age (w / Elise Hu) | How to Be a Better Human
Feb 21, 2025
Elise Hu, a journalist and author of "Flawless," dives into the complex relationship between beauty and technology. She discusses how filters redefine societal expectations and shares personal stories from her journey as an Asian woman. The conversation highlights the importance of body neutrality and self-acceptance, especially for future generations. Elise also critiques capitalism's role in beauty ideals and emphasizes the need for candid dialogues to challenge these standards in our tech-driven world.
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Early Beauty Standards
- As a child, Elise Hu was told she looked like a Chinese soap opera star, Liu Shuehua.
- This, along with comments about her double eyelids, instilled early the idea of a specific beauty standard.
Appearance-Based Judgments
- Moving to Korea highlighted the emphasis on appearance and the direct comments about what could be "fixed".
- This experience underscored how quickly appearances are judged and the pressure to conform.
Beauty as Labor
- Beauty culture links appearance to worth, creating a pressure to constantly work on looks.
- This "labor" consumes time and resources that could be used elsewhere.
