Why are we one of the only living species on this planet, to care so much about what we look like, especially when it comes to other people?

Question

Humans are visual animals and we are programmed to make judgments based on what we see, even before we can consider any other information.
This is never more apparent than when we look at the faces of others and make judgments. These may be about their attractiveness, their social status, or even their intelligence.
We may judge them to be safe appearing or threatening, perky and happy or cold and reserved.
All of these thoughts can come to us just based on what we see in their faces (I’m sure we’ve all been surprised at some point when we have judged someone’s character based solely on appearance, only to find out later we were totally wrong).
It is no wonder then, that we are also innately vain, meaning we care deeply about our own appearance and what it projects onto others.

I dare say that most of us, when we look in the mirror, wonder whether or not our appearance is attractive to others, regardless of our relationship status.
People want to look good. Everyone enjoys knowing others have a positive view of their appearance.
On the flip side, knowing others have a negative view of your appearance can be psychologically troubling.
We could debate all day whether any of this matters in the grand scheme of things, but it is a fact of life that our appearance has an effect on what others think of us, and in turn how they treat or act around us.
In essence, should it really matter?

Why are we one of the only living species on this planet, to care so much about what we look like, especially when it comes to other people?

Makeushiver · Accepted Answer

I don't think humans are the only animal. Scientists have claimed that the beauty is often the result of symmetry - whether in people, other mammals, or any animal. The alpha male gets the most desirable female. From what I've read, the same desire for symmetry is used by orangutans, and other species of ape more similar to humans. Most males have elaborate coloration that is displayed the most during rutting season. In fact, the main difference between humans and animals insofar as mating is concerned is that humans mate throughout the year while every other mammal ruts in late winter early spring so that the weather is available when offspring are born most conducive to survival. A speccies of penguin in Antarctica has a very interesting reproduction and child bearing habits. They nate like other animals but when the female lays an egg the male takes over the job of protecting it and keeping ot warm. While this is happening the penguins are, of course on land. Lant in antarctica can be unpleasantly cold. When they climb up the iceberg they decide upon they hather in a corcle and those penguins on the perimeter of the circle, most ex[posed to cold are allowed - orrced even - to get into the middle of circle in an elaborate pas de deux that ensures each penguin is only exposed to the cold for a limited time. ( This couldn't happenm in U. S because they wwouldbe accused of being communists which big business makes sure that the entire population know that communist = evil. They do however resist unions and work stoppages by using the national guard to kill ford workers and using private security as in Rockefellers strike breaking in Colorado killing many- all women and children. So penguins are possibly more civilized than all of Western Europe and far more civilized-and smarter- than Americans. So the male takes over the egg protection and hatching process while the mother hunts for food. As the egg starts to get cracked open the females return- somehow knowing the precise day to return, with food.
So the takeaway from that as far as I can see is both spiritual & political. Apparently penguins have the maturity. to handle a bit of socialism- humans aren't. With the level of cooperation and division of labor it is breathtakingly clos to the Marxist dictum. To each according to his needs, from each according to his skills. Instead of the " floating hand of free markets" a phrase beloved by oppressors in industry and politics and supposedly the mantra of capitalism from Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" where it is mentioned 1 time and in the service of mercantilism not capitalism. The hero of the American way of life is writing something completely different than he gets attributed. I would imagine that replACING the socialism of penguins with capitalism. 1/4 of the penguins would freeze since only the rich would be able to afford being in the warm center. Both males and females would argue about why do I need to stay home, why do I need to hunt again. Just like the US you would have.01% of the penguins using all the warmth and eating all the food while the rest either died or stayed cold. Goldsmith, the majority may freeze or starve but at least they aren't evil fucking communists.
Since I started off answering the question I wanted to instead of the one you asked; I've gotten further afield. I deleted a pro socialist, anti-capitalist rant some time ago so I still need to get it off my chest. Lovely lips

PositiveFlight · Accepted Answer

You pose a very good and frankly a very important question. It’s a discussion that should be had more often than not in today’s world.

As I’ve matured in my own life, I’ve really stopped caring what I look like to anyone else. Either you like my personality, my traits, my knowledge, and you think I’m either attractive or not. But take it or leave it, I am who and what I am. My value comes from within, not some fashion fad or what I’m wearing.

I feel so sorry for so many women nowadays. Especially younger women in their 20s and early 30s. Their body is judged by irrational and unrealistic standards. There is little effort made whatsoever to get to know a person by their face, their smile, their personality, their interests, and their intelligence. It’s all based on the body and if there’s any value with regard to sex or a fictitious fashion statement. Look no further than the Kardashians! I blame many parents who did not teach their children correctly. Boys who are not taught at a young age to respect womanhood. I also blame public institutions of learning, Hollywood, the fashion industry such as corrupt as hell organizations like Cosmopolitan, and so many other items of pop-culture. Just look at how much money the aesthetics industry brings in for anything from hair removal and various surgeries on the body to butcher and make fake!

We have to start to teach people that their value does not and cannot come from external or extrinsic sources. We do not assign other people their value. Value must come from within and regardless of what we think we look like, or what others look like. You can tell a healthy person apart from someone who does not think healthy. A healthy person has self-confidence, self-respect, they will dress reasonable to take care of themselves and personal hygiene, but not go overboard. They will dress and apply things for the right occasions. But they do not consume half of their day worrying about how they look to others. Life is not a fashion show or a porn flick. Until people can start to realize that their value comes from within, and reject what popular culture types and society assigns people, we will continue to live in this unhealthy and downward spiral.

emmaa1 · Accepted Answer

We are not the only living species to do that, but we are the cruelest. we depend so much on our visuals, normal reaction that once you see you judge, and sometimes it is nothing wrong and you be doing what human beings do. too much caring about it is an issue, but it is inevitable how people think of or react to it, even less attractive people sometimes refuse to settle to people with same attractiveness level.

So my take is that appearances are subjective, and many individuals will have different preferences and find different qualities attractive, beacuse we were not born thinking about how to judge different appearances and physiques, it is something that is gradually developed due to a lot of factors that has to do with upbringing and social influences. it's complicated

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Judging people on visual cues is sometimes very adaptive behavior.

If a man walks into a convenience store. . . with a gun in his hand, we will probably get out of there in a hurry or go find some place to hide.

If a man walks into a convenience store. . . holding a crying baby, our response wll be quite different.

So, perhaps the fact that we are so visual is a result of our relative intelligence.

hypojoe · Answer

Actualy in the animal world looks are everything just about everything has some sort of mating ritual some animals have to put on a visual display and if its weak they dont mate but in the human world not everybody sees beauty the same some one you think is ugly someone else sees attractive but either way just about everything is judged on looks i can tell you this a girls that is super attractive that treats others like garbage is the ugliest in my book same with guys and then again some people like that sort of thing

ilovepinknipples · Answer

Caring about appearance saves time. people or living things reflect their character in their appearance over the years. people strive to gain a personality-related appearance that injects what they think into their physical traits. For example, men who listen to rock music grow out their hair. Women who are looking for a partner want to dress sexy. Athletes prefer comfortable and comfortable clothes, people who are dangerous or want to look dangerous get tattoos, hippies do not shower and smell bad.

Adam1978 · Answer

I call complete bullshit on that. Basically every living thing on this planet with eyeballs is doing the same thing. Why do you think all male birds are colorful? Why baboons has big red asses. It's all sexual selection driving these thing and they are for most part determined visually. Humans are in no way different here.

driven159 · Answer

looks are not what I look for I look for brains but have to communicate to find that out because I think in deep thoughts and need someone can give me the same feedback.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

You are mistaken. There are thousands of species of animals that select mates based on appearance. Humans aren’t unique in that way in the slightest.

Anonymous · Answer

How do you figure we're one of the only species? The entire animal kingdom is based on natural selection. The bigger, the stronger, the more attractive male usually gets to breed.

Stevefiveo · Answer

Because your looks are a major part of getting laid.

annabananna · Answer

Birds care

exitseven · Answer

How do you know what dogs or cats think?

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

That's a good question

ERB62 · Answer

We should see the handiwork of God

msc545 · Answer

the attraction of course.,

Why are we one of the only living species on this planet, to care so much about what we look like, especially when it comes to other people?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Why are we one of the only living species on this planet, to care so much about what we look like, especially when it comes to other people?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.