Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder | Ajilong Muyodi | TEDxYouth@BrookhouseSchool

Summary

This thought-provoking speech challenges societal standards of beauty, questioning the narrow definitions imposed by industries and media. It critiques the harmful impact of these definitions, highlighting how they contribute to insecurity, discrimination, and societal inequality. The speaker encourages a more inclusive and self-defined understanding of beauty, one that embraces diversity in shape, size, and form. With a call for self-realization and appreciation of one's unique qualities, the speaker urges the audience to rethink traditional beauty ideals and reclaim the concept of beauty on their own terms.

Takeaways

• 😀 Beauty is not just subjective; societal standards impose a narrow definition that excludes many forms of beauty.
• 😀 The beauty industry profits off insecurity, encouraging unrealistic standards that leave many feeling inadequate.
• 😀 The global beauty industry is worth more than the global education industry, signaling society's misplaced priorities.
• 😀 Plato's famous quote, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' is criticized for being misleading in a world dominated by external beauty standards.
• 😀 Only 4% of women worldwide consider themselves beautiful, reflecting the damaging effect of rigid beauty standards.
• 😀 The beauty industry thrives on exclusivity and creating a divide between 'us' and 'them', perpetuating insecurities for profit.
• 😀 Bullying and self-hatred are direct consequences of the harmful beauty standards promoted by the media and the fashion industry.
• 😀 Redefining beauty starts with embracing diversity and acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual, in all shapes, sizes, and forms.
• 😀 Beauty should be self-realized, meaning it has more meaning when defined by the individual rather than external standards.
• 😀 Small acts of kindness, like complimenting someone on something unusual or unique, can help redefine beauty on a personal level.
• 😀 The speaker encourages everyone to stop seeking validation from external sources and to embrace their beauty without judgment or comparison.

Q & A

What does the speaker question about the definition of beauty?

The speaker questions how beauty is defined in society, whether there is a specific system or criteria, and who has the power to dictate what beauty is.

How does the speaker critique Plato's famous quote, 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'?

The speaker argues that if Plato's quote were true, only a small percentage of women would consider themselves beautiful, and industries like fashion and makeup wouldn't profit from insecurities, which contradicts the idea of beauty being subjective.

What role does the fashion and beauty industry play in the speaker's argument?

The speaker critiques the fashion and beauty industry for profiting off insecurities and promoting unrealistic beauty standards, arguing that these industries thrive on exclusion and the concept of 'us versus them.'

What statistics does the speaker provide to highlight the influence of the beauty industry?

The speaker states that the global beauty industry is worth approximately 511 billion dollars, which is much higher than the 5.4 billion dollars spent on global education, highlighting society's prioritization of physical appearance over education.

What impact does the speaker believe beauty standards have on individuals?

The speaker believes that beauty standards lead to issues like bullying, self-hatred, and body image concerns, affecting individuals' mental and emotional well-being.

How does the speaker encourage individuals to rethink their own perception of beauty?

The speaker encourages people to redefine beauty on their own terms by embracing their unique features, ignoring societal pressures, and avoiding self-criticism when looking in the mirror.

What is the speaker's preferred definition of beauty?

The speaker favors a definition of beauty as a combination of unique features in any shape, form, color, or size that is pleasing to the aesthetic senses, promoting inclusivity and diversity.

How does the speaker suggest we dismantle harmful beauty standards?

The speaker suggests that by embracing diverse forms of beauty, offering compliments to others based on unique traits, and redefining beauty for ourselves, we can challenge and dismantle discriminatory beauty standards.

What is the key message the speaker conveys about self-realized beauty?

The key message is that beauty is meaningful only when it is self-realized, and individuals should embrace their own sense of beauty without relying on societal validation or external definitions.

What closing message does the speaker leave for young people regarding beauty?

The speaker closes with a message of affirmation, telling young boys and girls that they are beautiful, encouraging them to see beauty in themselves and others in a more inclusive and self-empowered way.