Looking good

In a post by my ex's assistant and co-blogger, a quotation from a source I'm mildly irked to have admit I agree with:

Beauty is a rigid, static physical image, while attractiveness:

”…is a fluid, variable psychological experience, one that moves from the inside, out and back again. Beauty can be inherited, Photoshopped or surgically attained. Attractiveness develops, evolves over time and can be ageless. One can be attractive to others or simply feel that way about oneself. Beauty leads women toward the pursuit of the physical features associated with the word. Attractiveness is an attainable goal for those who take care of their bodies, enjoy their lives, maintain sensuality and engage with others.”

In pop music we can pile up examples, from Janis Joplin to Patti Smith to PJ Harvey. Not to mention the "ugly handsome" school of male movie stars, from Bogart to Bronson to Craig. Often we seem to have stronger reactions to the appeal we have to dig deep for than to the kind that's right on the surface (Grant, Hudson, Clooney). No disrespect intended toward any of these artists, who are all public figures and to that extent fair game.