In this blog post, we will examine whether plastic surgery can be a solution to reducing appearance gaps, or whether it further reinforces appearance-based discrimination.
Is it really fair to judge someone based solely on their appearance? Of course, physiognomy is a type of study created to find commonalities among people and generalize them, so it is not entirely without academic basis. Furthermore, considering that people with what we commonly refer to as “good-looking” faces tend to have gentler personalities, judging others based on their appearance may be justified to a certain extent from a utilitarian perspective. However, even if there is a certain degree of causality between a person’s impression and their personality, the reason why judging people based solely on their appearance is still unproductive is because it is DNA that determines most of a person’s appearance. If the twists and turns of an individual’s life determine their appearance, why can we draw a composite sketch of a person based solely on their DNA? In other words, although our lives may be reflected in our appearance to some extent, genetic factors largely determine our appearance. Unless there is some kind of acquired intervention, such as plastic surgery, appearance is largely determined by genetic factors.
If we observe this point carefully, we realize that the value of appearance is different from other internal values. In general, people tend to prefer those who have achieved success through acquired efforts rather than those who have achieved success solely through innate talent. For example, people like Mozart’s music, but they empathize with and feel more attached to Salieri’s life. This is because Salieri gives us hope that anyone can achieve their dreams if they work hard like him. On the other hand, people who have become beautiful through plastic surgery are often viewed with disdain. The general public does not prefer people who look alike due to plastic surgery, and sometimes refers to people who have had plastic surgery as “plastic monsters.” This means that in the realm of appearance, there is a reversal of values, where “individual talent” is valued more highly than “acquired effort.” The cause of this reversal of values can be found in the book Sapiens by anthropologist Yuval Noah Harari.
In his book, Yuval Noah Harari argues that the development of biotechnology will lead to the end of Homo sapiens. With the advancement of biotechnology, humans will change their bodies and eventually leave the species Homo sapiens. However, such changes are bound to cause resistance among people. Plastic surgery can be seen as a transitional stage that heralds such changes. Plastic surgery does not change internal organs, but it does change one’s appearance through surgical procedures, thereby breaking away from the framework of “nature.” From this perspective, the negative view of plastic surgery can be understood to a certain extent and sympathized with.
Nevertheless, in this blog post, I would like to advocate for acquired efforts and take a positive view of the freedom to alter one’s body through surgical procedures. Ultimately, I would like to argue that we should all make an effort. In other words, through the normalization of plastic surgery, we should raise the level of appearance of each individual and reduce the gap in appearance. Through this, we can expect various positive effects.
First, the normalization of plastic surgery can create a more equitable society. This is because it not only prevents sexual selection from a simple evolutionary perspective, but also reduces everyday discrimination based on appearance. In modern society, the influence of appearance is much greater than we think. For example, in Korea, for male workers in their 30s, for every 1 cm increase in height, the average hourly wage increases by 1.5%. In addition, when defendants of similar crimes with different appearances were put on trial in a mock court, those with better appearances received lighter sentences. When evaluating college grades, students with better-looking photos received higher grades than those without photos. Furthermore, when voters were asked to select candidates in a random election based solely on their appearance, the correlation with the actual election results was 75%. In summary, appearance is not merely a personal evaluation, but also influences the court, society, and even schools. If the differences in appearance between people were reduced, much of the unfairness caused by appearance could be eliminated.
Second, humanity could become happier. This is not simply a matter of expecting a quantitative increase in the aesthetic value of the community, but rather the elimination of inequality felt by individuals. People evaluate their happiness based on relative differences rather than absolute values. Therefore, if there is something to compare themselves to, they will inevitably feel unhappy. History proves this truth. Countries with high levels of inequality were less happy than countries without, and regions with high levels of inequality had higher crime rates, higher obesity rates, and lower life expectancies. Appearance is particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of comparison. This is because appearance is easy to compare at a glance. Unless you undergo plastic surgery, no amount of self-flagellation will change your appearance. However, if society becomes more accepting of plastic surgery, people will be free from comparisons based on appearance. This is because there will be less difference in appearance, and even if people are compared, they can solve the problem through plastic surgery.
Third, it can reduce resistance to the introduction of implantable devices, following wearable devices such as smartwatches. Technology is advancing rapidly, and it is unrealistic for the general public to keep up with it all. In fact, there were rumors that implantable RFID chips were the mark of the devil, and there was a movement to oppose the construction of a particle accelerator in Switzerland. However, if tolerance toward plastic surgery spreads, resistance to surgical attachment of electronic devices will also decrease. If that happens, resistance to implantable devices will also decrease, which will have a positive effect on related research and legislation. If machines attached to the body become commonplace, humanity will be able to live healthier and happier lives.
Those who have read this far will sympathize with the numerous harmful effects of a society that judges people based on their appearance. However, at the same time, many people may feel repulsed by the extremity of this article. They may argue that we should respect each individual’s unique beauty rather than encouraging plastic surgery, or propose institutional measures such as blind interviews to solve the problems caused by appearance. However, such solutions are merely short-sighted stopgap measures.
The argument that we should bring out the beauty in each individual may seem reasonable at first glance, but in reality, it is nothing more than an argument for accepting appearance-ism and allowing inequality to continue. Of course, people can become attractive by using makeup and styling to enhance their unique features. However, we cannot choose what our faces look like. If I have slanted eyes, I will inevitably appear cold, regardless of my intentions. There are limits to physical appearance, and efforts to improve one’s appearance are a huge waste of time. Ultimately, it is irresponsible to maintain an uneven playing field and then tell individuals to solve the problem through their own efforts.
Paradoxically, if plastic surgery becomes commonplace, we may move toward a society that respects individual beauty. In modern society, standards of beauty are quite universal. Nevertheless, many people undergo plastic surgery for a certain look because that look is still preferred. However, if plastic surgery becomes commonplace and everyone’s appearance converges toward a certain look, then according to the economic principle of supply and demand, unique faces will become more valuable. When that happens, we will live in a society where plastic surgery is no longer necessary.
Solutions such as blind interviews are not fundamental solutions. Appearance affects society as a whole, so preventing unfairness caused by appearance is ultimately no different from reducing communication between people. Unless the root cause is addressed, this problem will continue.
Beauty can only have true meaning when it is subjective. However, the moment we meet someone, we judge their beauty based on their appearance. It is unfortunate that human relationships begin with such tragedy, as it hinders the potential of those relationships. Through the universalization of plastic surgery, we may be able to see people for who they truly are.
