ThirstyFish

Sexy or trashy? Sexy is defined as "provoking or intended to provoke sexual interest" whereas trashy implies "inferior in quality, cheap". By those definitions, something can be both sexy and trashy at the same time. Especially since the second half of 20th century, not only is sex appeal not frowned upon, it sells. Good looks and sex appeal get you a job, a promotion, a raise.

Besides the obvious discrimination against the ugly, when people are hired and promoted based on sex appeal and not on merit, just as when politicians are elected based on oration skills and eloquence and not on character, knowledge and moral courage, society suffers as a whole. In the West, we value "image" more than the "thing". But, the image of something - whether it be in an advertisement or a carefully crafted persona - is never that thing. Yet, especially in the recent years, "image is everything". Where an "image based culture" takes a society becomes apparent with a quick review of history...

That said, there is nothing wrong with a feeling sexy or having a little sex appeal. It is a problem when we begin to worship our sexiness or our appeal. And it's really bad, when we feel inferior because we're not as sexy or appealing as the next person - there is always someone sexier and more appealing.

Song of the Day: These Boots Are Made for Walkin' - Nancy Sinatra (1966)