You know how they get those supermodels to look perfect in the magazines?

[davidn3600]

[Warpy]

1. Well, I suppose I prefer Photoshop

to the old way of attaining that wasp waisted look: corsets.

However, either needs to be noted at the bottom of the page.

I feel sorry for kids growing up now, thinking they not only have to compete with starveling supermodels, they have to compete with computer enhanced ones that the human body is incapable of achieving.

At least the kids would know those images were as plastic as their Barbie dolls are. I don't know how much good it would do, but it could conceivably reach some of them.

I'm sure Photoshop would appreciate the advertising.

[Orrex]

2. It is utterly astonishing to me

that everyone in the world doesn't already know this.

[davidn3600]

3. Perception trumps reality

People believe what they see. They set the bar for perfection as something that cannot possibly be obtained.

It's like a magic trick...you know it's fake deep down and that just an illusion... but your eyes and your brain's perception of it will fall for that trick every time.

[BlueJazz]

4. I think most people looking for a mate choose brain power over intense beauty.

I certainly do. I don't necessarily want a genius monster (LOL) but I care for her talk more than her mouth.

[DesertFlower]

5. back in the 60s and 70s models

were getting their back teeth extracted to get that gaunt look.

[Marie Marie]

6. And the really sad thing is that

these people are already blessed with beauty. Most if this isn't necessary.

[Lilyhoney]

7. Some would like to put a rating metric of retouching on images...

In recent years, advertisers and magazine editors have been widely criticized for taking digital photo retouching to an extreme. Impossibly thin, tall, and wrinkle- and blemish-free models are routinely splashed onto billboards, advertisements, and magazine covers. The ubiquity of these unrealistic and highly idealized images has been linked to eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction in men, women, and children. In response, several countries have considered legislating the labeling of retouched photos. We describe a quantitative and perceptually meaningful metric of photo retouching. Photographs are rated on the degree to which they have been digitally altered by explicitly modeling and estimating geometric and photometric changes. This metric correlates well with perceptual judgments of photo retouching and can be used to objectively judge by how much a retouched photo has strayed from reality.

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/11/21/1110747108.abstract

[Old Union Guy]

8. In the old days they had airbrushing ...

Airbrush work required more time, effort, and specialized skill, but the effect was much the same.

[Egalitarian Thug]

9. How about an actual truth in advertising law?

I think it would go a long way to begin healing our national breakdown.