#1 ·
Does one have to be unattractive or conventionally beautiful to be considered "real"? I am wondering if this concept pertains to the media landscape—specifically the pervasive issue of airbrushed perfection and the heavy use of Photoshop—and how that shapes our perception. For instance, why would someone who is overweight walk a runway and claim to represent "realness" if they lack the discipline or the time to care for themselves? That excuse seems to be one of the most common clichés of the modern era, though it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't satisfied with their bodies, nor that they shouldn't be. Are people who are dissatisfied, exhausted, or overworked truly "real"? Do they actually inhabit the world we live in? I am not entirely certain if I have landed in the right corner of this forum for such a discussion, but I am curious to hear your thoughts: what does the term "real people" signify to you, and how should that reality be portrayed in the media?