Lookism on the internet.

[skysidhe]

'Lookism'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookism

I haven’t found this type of discrimination to be true IRL but it got me to thinking about what exactly IS aesthetic appeal? Especially on the internet.
What makes post acceptable verses posts that are ignored or just not seen? Is it content? Is it preconceived ideas about the person posting? Is it newness?

What makes a poster aesthetically appealing?? Is there even an aesthetic appeal on the internet? I know the color scheme here on the cellar can be aesthetically appealing but are there some peoples whose posts are appealing? or is it all intellectual?
(I somehow think not)

[Shawnee123]

I bet there is some sort of psychological attraction to things in colors or arrangements you prefer. Such as, I like symmetry, so a website that looked balanced to me might be more appealing and more likely to keep my interest.

As to written posts, however, I think I am drawn to writing style, humor, and of course like-minded opinions.

[Sundae]

Short blocks of text
No long paragraphs

It wouldn't occur to me to mind when reading a book, but then I settle down for an hour or more when I do that.

I don't mind long posts, as long as they're in bite size chunks.

Apart from that, writing style, humour, and of course like-minded opinions

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I bet there is some sort of psychological attraction to things in colors or arrangements you prefer. Such as, I like symmetry, so a website that looked balanced to me might be more appealing and more likely to keep my interest.

As to written posts, however, I think I am drawn to writing style, humor, and of course like-minded opinions.

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Short blocks of text
No long paragraphs

It wouldn't occur to me to mind when reading a book, but then I settle down for an hour or more when I do that.

I don't mind long posts, as long as they're in bite size chunks.

Apart from that, writing style, humour, and of course like-minded opinions

I see both of your points.

As far as a book it's easy to do long paragraphs. We read in first person mostly and become a part of the story. On this internet chat we try to decipher a persons thinking and then make judgements based on the posts? I do.

To my 'minds eye' you are both nice and have a certain amount of humor and humility. Humility and humaness are a biggie with me.

[DanaC]

Yep. Humanity, humility and humour. Always attractive as a combination. I also think the name matters. If a name is just a series of unpronouncable letters and numbers, that tends to put me off a bit. Not once I start reading the post, but as a first impression.

It's difficult really to determine what it is that makes posters 'attractive'. It isn't just the fact that someone is likeminded. I mean, I disagree with pretty much everything UG says, yet I am attracted to his posts and would even go so far as to say I like him as a character. But likeminded helps I generally will check out posts by those I am 'attracted' to: SG, Elspode, Hip, Happy monkey, Sky, rkzenrage, to name a few.

I have never heard of the term 'lookism' before btw. It tends to be referred to as 'body fascism' over here.

[skysidhe]

I've never heard the term either. I was searching for something else, probably poetry and stumbled upon it.

Frankly all the 'isms and 'ologys annoy me but the concept of what we find asthetically pleasing facinates me. It is such an abstract concept yet we utilize something other than straight up 'post reading' to determine what we like about someone we have never even had the pleasure of hearing or seeing.

We must fabricate that 'seeing' part and yes there are alot of people I have a favorable image of in my minds eye. Even Flint.

I like reading your posts too Dana. Those others that you mentioned are some of my favorites too anough I didn't want this to get into a popularity contest but they do deserve kudos.

[Shawnee123]

Dana, you're right about not being necessarily like-minded. There are people here I think are wonderful who have differing opinions, and I enjoy their posts very much.

But like-minded is a biggie when it comes to forging a really good friendship.

I enjoy all of you who have posted to this thread, and others. I find there is a level of thought and intelligence and, yes, humor that is hard to find in such high concentration in "real life."

[DanaC]

Frankly all the 'isms and 'ologys annoy me

Have you heard Regina Spektre's song 'Sorryology'? it's brilliant. Mind you everything she does is brilliant. I went with a few friends and family to see her at the Academy in manchester last night. Wow. Totally mindblowing. We were right at the front too!

(sorry, bit of diversion there.....)

[monster]

You are referirig to individual posters on any site rather than the look of the site itself?

I tend to gloss over/ignore posters who write 40 lines without a break, and those who c&p huge chunks from other sites. I also do not pay much attention to posts wrtn in txt msg 4nd l33t $p33k. Also people who color all their text and use hard-to-read fonts for no apparent reason.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Have you heard Regina Spektre's song 'Sorryology'? it's brilliant. Mind you everything she does is brilliant. I went with a few friends and family to see her at the Academy in manchester last night. Wow. Totally mindblowing. We were right at the front too!

(sorry, bit of diversion there.....)

No problem. I actually enjoy a good deversion although it DOES relate does it not? She's talking about Loveology/forgiveology after all.

Anyway,I hadn't heard of Regina Spektre's song but I looked up the lyrics. So you went to see her huh! wow! Sounds like you had fun.

Originally Posted by monster

You are referirig to individual posters on any site rather than the look of the site itself?

I tend to gloss over/ignore posters who write 40 lines without a break, and those who c&p huge chunks from other sites. I also do not pay much attention to posts wrtn in txt msg 4nd l33t $p33k. Also people who color all their text and use hard-to-read fonts for no apparent reason.

It could be either.
You got what you find not asthetically pleasing listed there. I however don't mind any of what you said you minded. Obviously,That is asthetics.

I don't think there can be any actual discrimination based on physical appearance on the internet and I don't believe it happens in the real life world either unless it is a super model job or something like that. I think someone with low self esteem probably made that 'lookism' word up.

[DanaC]

and I don't believe it happens in the real life world either unless it is a super model job or something like that.

Try getting a job in a trendy bar or frontline customer service and you may change that opinion. Particularly for women. There is a definate reluctance amongst employers to have 'unattractive' people serving customers in clothes shops, bars, restaurants etc.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I enjoy all of you who have posted to this thread, and others. I find there is a level of thought and intelligence and, yes, humor that is hard to find in such high concentration in "real life."

I agree.

Originally Posted by DanaC

Try getting a job in a trendy bar or frontline customer service and you may change that opinion. Particularly for women. There is a definate reluctance amongst employers to have 'unattractive' people serving customers in clothes shops, bars, restaurants etc.

Well maybe we are all unattractive around here and it is just by degrees someone is deemed attractive hehehe
(my second job is retail )

or possibly the lack of posh little shops is why I havn't noticed that trend. hummm

About the bar scene. I thought the only requisit was really big knockers. I didn't think the men paid any attention to a dimly lit face if those sisters were serving the patrons. hehehe

ok seriously, I did notice that the people who work in 'fine jewelry' are extremely beautiful. I would agree with that. A definate case of 'lookism'

[DanaC]

*grins* knockers help.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

About the bar scene. I thought the only requisit was really big knockers. I didn't think the men paid any attention to a dimly lit face if those sisters were serving the patrons. hehehe

OK, but in fairness did you ever see a barmaid that wasn't "presenting" the sisters on a silver platter? Except of course, unless she thought they were too small(impossible), and used an alternate hook.

Yeah, I know, they do it, a little for the ego stroking attention, but mostly because they make a lot more money when they do.

Hey you started it by presenting them in the first place.

Originally Posted by skysidhe

What makes post acceptable verses posts that are ignored or just not seen?

I've been thinking about this for sometime because every once in a while someone will post, poor me.. nobody reads my posts.

How in hell does anyone know if their post has been read or not, unless it's the only post in the thread?
Are they going by responses to their post? That's a whole different animal which there can be a number of reasons for.

Why would somebody reply to your post?
Did you ask a question?
Did you disagree with someones post?
Did you take a controversial, unusual, or unpopular position on something?

Just up the page Dana said "Knockers help". That was an appropriate response, showing she agreed, but I don't think it called for a response by me or the person she was agreeing with. Not all posts beg for a response when they're read.
Sometimes I read a post and want to respond but don't have the time to say what I want to say. Sometimes I'll come back to it after I've worked out my position in my head. Or sometimes I know my response will open a whole can of worms I don't want to deal with at the time.

Bottom line....just because nobody responded doesn't mean you're not being stalked....uh, I mean... it wasn't read.
And sometimes you just post the perfect answer to the question at hand, and any response would look silly.

[skysidhe]

I don't know of an alternate hook unless that was her face....but anyway...thank you for your answers. I get what you're saying BUT you actually answered a question I did not ask.

Originally Posted by skysidhe
What makes post acceptable verses posts that are ignored or just not seen?

Has nothing to do with posting or not posting but I see your angle.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

any response would look silly.

I've felt this way plenty of times while reading peoples posts. In this instance I feel silly FOR posting.