Tabloids

August 23, 2005

Category: Culture

I hate it. I’m standing in line waiting to buy a few things at the grocery store and inevitably my eye turns toward the colorful display poised next to me. I see pretty women with perfect faces staring me in the face. I curiously look to see what their names are and what the latest news is. Photos of Ben and Jen, or Brad and Angelina. Shiny, happy people.

I was standing in the express lane
with my 12 items or less
at the checkout counter at the local grocery store
I was only passing by
when a paper caught my eye
and I learn a few things, I never knew before.
— “Midnight Star” by Weird Al

Then I see sites like this (not kid-friendly) where they show what the people look like before they are painted by photoshop masters.

Posted by pablohart on August 23, 2005 10:10 AM

Comments

wow. some of those changes are so drastic!

Posted by Nathan Hart at August 23, 2005 12:47 PM

More than you realize, eh? I mean, we all "know" that they do this, but do you really know, deep down?

Posted by pablohart at August 23, 2005 12:50 PM

great post paul! man, some of those are really amazing. I'm not sure what I'm more impressed with, how good this guy is or "not perfect" the people in the photos are. Simply amazing! So, it begs the question, is this a good thing? I mean
a) it is an art that promotes the best image of someone
b) but it is also a "false" image.
c) but does that mean then we don't try to look our best
d) and is looking our best fueled by media showing us the beautiful people
e) or is media just bowing to the demands of society that wants to see only beautiful people.
f) somebody please get me out of this viscious cycle!!!

Posted by at August 23, 2005 3:37 PM

it's definitely a cycle. chicken or egg? i say Marilyn Monroe :)

Posted by Nathan Hart at August 24, 2005 4:23 PM

I'm a graphic designer for an HMO and we experience a peripherally-related issue: making expensive healthcare look cheap and easy. :P

The bottom line, they all wanna twist the truth to look as good as possible---even if the truth hurts.

Posted by Michael Tangen at August 28, 2005 11:53 PM

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