Computer Generated Beauty

ANCHOR:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But now beauty is ... computer generated? Computer software produces what the human eye considers the perfect face. The Israeli computer scientists' system creates models based on the innate preferences that studies show we have for faces, from eye shape and distance apart to nose length and lip curve.
STORY:
What's the ideal face? Don't ask a beautician, ask a computer scientist.

Israeli experts are using good old mathematical models to give a face in a photo the ideal characteristics in just a few mouse clicks.

[Karol Kidron, Jerusalem Resident]:
"The one on the right is prettier because her face is thinner. This is today's aesthetics."

[Elisheva Brouse, Jerusalem Resident]:
"Here face is longer here and here it's also more symmetrical and everything is lifted and that's better. Here the face is more distorted. That's like fixed up and that's better."

Studies have shown that people have innate preferences of what's in a face.

The shape of mouth and eyes and length of nose are all key features of what's perceived to be attractive.

Professor Dan Lischinski of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem says it could have business potential.

[Professor Dan Lischinski, Hebrew University]:
"This technology could become a product where, for example, there's a web service where people upload their photographs, have them enhanced or beautified by our software on some server, and then getting back the result so this is something we're looking into."

It remains to be seen if the technology could provide pictures people could take to plastic surgeon and say 'make me look like that.

The results can be striking but not always with the desired effect.

Leonardo's Mona Lisa is definitely better off with the same wry smile she's had for centuries without the help of modern technology.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ntd
• computer
• beauty
• software
• israel
• science
• technology

[syntom1]

It crashed on Mona Lisa))

[christinavelia]

these guys that are inventing the technology are just evil. why is it ok to make us hate our own face and desire a "better" one?

[GregoryTheGr8ster]

Running the software on the Mona Lisa must be a joke. She isn't a real person. Running it on Barbie would be just as pointless.

[MrTHEPROUD]

they say symmetric faces are more beautiful, but I find it very sexy when someone has an asymmetrical face. Maybe just when one eyebrow is alittle higher or one mouth corner is a little bit up. Symmetry gets boring very quick and doesnt give much character to a face

[CastleOfButterflies]

People don't understand these alterations are done because the camera distorts and flattens features making them look bad. Photoshop tweaks make them look as how you might see them in person.

[Appleycore]

@VincitOmniaVerit HAHAHA. I laughed cause it's so true I learned about natural selection in Biology but you just made me realize that ugly people could be prevented. XDD

[Zoza15]

This is bad Technology for those who want to look good.

[loveleo555]

@MakesoapoutofKIKIS go fuck yourself asshole!! Show your face then we'll see who's donkey faced!! Suck my imaginary dick!

[SoFlyCee]

The truth isn't responsible for making you feel good. Sorry.

[SoFlyCee]

@christinavelia i dont understand what's cruel about this brilliant technology

[VincitOmniaVerit]

@elinal855 Yes, this sounds very cold and harsh, but utltimately nature is very indifferent to our morality. Moreover, can you deny that ugly people and those with deformities are treated unfairly by others? In my own experience, people have denigrated, and ostracized me for my appearance; which in turn has caused me great pain and suffering. Furthermore, I doubt that any parent would willingly let their children go through that, thus they should ensure their kids are born with the best traits

[elinal855]

@VincitOmniaVerit Heil Hilter