Beauty

The saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" fascinates me. So does, "inner beauty is more important than outer beauty". I'm reading a book right now called Uglies, lent to me from Morgan. It deals with a dystopia (supposed ideal world) where all people become surgically beautiful at the age of 16. Until then, they are known as Uglies. The surgery they endure makes botox seem like nothing more than lip gloss. Bones are ground done, rebuilt and more. Skin is sandpapered off and re-grown to look perfect. The concept of the book is creepy and I don't know yet if I think it's well-written. However, it does have an interesting premise. For example, this world only came about because people were so cruel to one another when everyone was allowed to look like themselves. In their world, looking perfect equates equity and harmony. Weird.

This week I wanted us to do some work with Flickr and their annotations/notes button, but to start it off, we'll do something visual to get in the swing of things. First, describe to me your concept of beauty. What is beautiful to you? Who is beautiful to you? What does beautiful sound, smell and taste like? Do you believe in inner beauty? Do you believe a person becomes more beautiful with time and why?

Then, I want you to post 7 pictures you find on the internet that represent beauty to you. Each of them needs to represent some category or idea of beauty that you subscribe to. Then, you need to post 3 written representations of beauty, whether they be poems, stories, songs or more. For each posting, please describe what element of beauty you are representing. I should be able to surmise a 3-dimensional idea of beauty from your postings and writings. I'm very excited to see what you present. Remember, again, that you are supposed to be reading and commenting on one another's blogs. Thanks!

There are still several people who have not posted their teen writing to the Wiki. In order for me to assemble and post a draft for us all to peruse and edit, I need everyone's voice included. Please complete ASAP.