What if everything we thought we knew about beauty was wrong?
In a world obsessed with appearances, Stefan de Vries embarks on a quest to unravel the enigma of beauty. Driven by an inexplicable passion, he became an art historian at Paris Sorbonne, laying the foundation for his unique, interdisciplinary approach to this universal yet elusive concept.
In ‘The Beauty Enigma,’ de Vries takes you on a global odyssey, from the hallowed halls of the Louvre to sun-kissed Californian boardwalks, from Mondrian’s squares adorning a motorway tunnel just a few kilometres away from Vermeer’s picturesque canals in Delft. His journey spans continents, cultures, and disciplines, venturing into a rustic izakaya in rural Japan and a remote sandy island off coast of East Africa.
Drawing on insights from an eclectic array of experts – neuroscientists, mathematicians, economists, ecologists, linguists, and even plastic surgeons – de Vries challenges our most deeply held assumptions about beauty. Why do we value inner beauty while investing billions in outward appearances? How do our brains interpret aesthetic stimuli? Does a universal standard of beauty truly exist?
The Beauty Enigma delves into unexpected territories, unveiling surprising connections between beauty and:
- Quantum physics: The aesthetic implications of subatomic symmetry
- Urban planning: How city aesthetics influence crime rates and mental health
- Artificial intelligence: The frontier of machine-created and machine-judged beauty
- Criminology: The disturbing impact of attractiveness on judicial decisions
De Vries’ art history background provides a unique lens, bridging classical aesthetics with cutting-edge science. Readers will uncover:
- The often-shocking origins of our beauty standards
- The intricate interplay between culture, media, and perception
- Mathematical principles underlying aesthetic appeal
- Beauty’s profound impact on success, happiness, and social dynamics
‘The Beauty Enigma’ transcends the superficial discourse on appearance. It’s a profound exploration of human perception, value systems, and the very essence of what we find appealing.
In an era where images wield unprecedented power, understanding beauty has become more than an academic exercise—it’s a survival skill. This book arrives at a critical juncture as social media, AI-generated content, and evolving societal norms reshape our relationship with beauty.
Readers will gain not just knowledge, but a new perspective that will transform how they see the world, interact with others, and perceive themselves. They’ll develop a critical eye for the subtle ways beauty influences everything from personal relationships to global economics.
‘The Beauty Enigma’ will challenge your preconceptions, expand your understanding, and equip you with the insights to navigate our image-obsessed world with greater awareness and empathy.
Prepare to have your definition of beauty shattered and reconstructed. After reading ‘The Beauty Enigma,’ you’ll never look at a painting, a person, or a skyline the same way again. This isn’t just about seeing the world in a new light – it’s about fundamentally changing how you experience and interact with the beauty surrounding us all.
The Beauty Enigma is currently in the process of creation by journalist and
art historian Stefan de Vries. It will be published in 2015 one day.
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