Some might contend that the recognition that a woman of less than conventionally attractive demeanour could still charm and fascinate dealt a blow to cynical judgment by appearance. I doubt it. Physical perfectibility, and one's individual responsibility to achieve and maintain it, remains another entrenched value of contemporary culture. From supermodel Kate Moss's sun-seared wrinkles "exposed" in Heat magazine, to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's sculpted abdominals displayed like a gauntlet in the latest Armani underwear campaign, both women and men are informed that, while they may not have time, energy or organisation to change the world, it is beholden upon them to change themselves. The language of positive collective action is co-opted for frantic personal primping: because we're worth it.
via guardian.co.uk