The "Ideal" Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRlpIkH3b5I
We've already talked a bit about the dangers of photoshopping in class, but I think this video really clarifies how false the products of the process really are.  These women are already, in my opinion, pretty the way they are, but the photoshop process makes them practically flawless which, as they all pointed out, is humanly impossible to achieve.  Women are being held to a standard they have no way to live up to, which creates some serious problems in the general population; for example, girls are beginning to have eating and body image disorders much younger than they were before photoshop became a widespread practice.  The process is actually quite amazing - the artist can remove "blemishes," even out/lighten/darken the skin tone (a photographer actually did this to me in a picture before, apparently he thought I was too pasty), and even trim off weight... basically reducing factors that distinguish people (not just women, this applies to men too) as individuals.  What effects can seeing fake people every day have on everyone?  However, I like that the end of the video provided a comforting message, as the models were able to accept themselves for who they are as opposed to becoming obsessed with the false image.  One of the women made a very important point when she said that it is normal to be critical of ourselves, because almost everyone is at a certain point to a certain extent. This is human and natural, and can sometimes be positive behavior (for example, people lose weight to become healthier and get in better shape, with looking "better" as a consequence). It only becomes a problem when it rules our lives and makes us loathe our appearance.