Perfection

Thanks to editing software like Photoshop, it is easier than ever to create an altered reality, but it is harder to separate it from the 'real' reality. Why do people believe what they see in the advertisements and magazines?
With only a few clicks the posture can be corrected, skin smoothed, muscles added and fat removed. And the image of perfection is created. Only there is no perfection in reality, there are no flawless people, we all know that. So why are we still seduced by it and desire it?

Well, I think it is only natural that people want to be the best version of themselves. When looking at celebrity images, based on their looks people ascribe certain personalities to them, probably ones they would like to identify with.

Everybody has seen the before and after images, nonetheless, we still are seduced by the beauty sold to us and still hope that one day we will look just like the lady in the picture.

I think that such advertising can have a very destructive power, especially on the younger recipients. People try everything they can to reach perfection, they spend time and money with no avail. This can lead to psychological issues, a constant dissatisfaction with oneself, a constant strive to reach something unreachable. And this is exactly what the big companies want, because it leads to selling products and services to people who want to buy self-fulfillment.