The Power of Beauty: How Aesthetics Impact Our Lives

Hello dear Readers 👋👋,

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

In a world filled with concrete jungles and utilitarian structures, we often overlook the significance of beauty in our surroundings.

In this edition of "Refined Connections: The Penpal Ash Gazette," we delve into the profound impact of aesthetics on our lives.

Join us on this journey to discover how beauty, as a fundamental human experience, affects our well-being, behavior, and even our happiness.

Origin of Beauty

Think about it: what is beauty?

It's a question that has puzzled us for as long as we've roamed this planet.

You can't hold it in your hand; it's not something you can put in a box.

Beauty, my friends, is a feeling. It's that flutter in your chest when you see a jaw-dropping sunset.

It's that rush of wonder when you stand before a masterpiece. It's that sensation that dances through your mind and stirs your heart.

But here's the kicker: beauty doesn't live in the world around us.

Nope, it's an inside job. It's a perception, something that hangs out exclusively in the playground of our minds.

That heartwarming sunset, the masterpiece, they're all beautiful because we say so.

And here's the twist - what's beautiful to me might not be the same for you. It's as unique as your fingerprint. So, let's dive into the mystique of beauty, back to our roots, and see what makes us all tick when it comes to the beautiful stuff.

The Beauty Rooted in Nature

Fractal Patterns: Nature's Artistry at Play

Imagine you're in the heart of a forest, surrounded by the towering majesty of trees. Look closely at those delicate branches, each intricate vein of a leaf, and the winding path of a river.

What do they share?

The answer lies in a pattern, a magical one called the fractal.

Nature's canvas is painted with fractals, patterns that repeat themselves at different scales. You'll find them in snail shells, flower heads, waves, and even the clouds that drift lazily in the sky.

These fractals, they aren't just visually pleasing; they're etched deep into our understanding of beauty.

But why? 

Back then, recognizing a repeating fractal pattern wasn't just about admiring nature's handiwork; it was about knowing what was safe, what was dangerous, and what could provide nourishment.

Symmetry in Fauna and Flora: Nature's Blueprint

Now, let's talk about another superstar of beauty - symmetry.

It's everywhere in the natural world, from the way stems and trees grow to the leaves that adorn them.

Why is symmetry such a big deal?

Well, because it used to mean one thing for our ancestors - all is right in the world.

A deer with impressive, symmetric antlers? Probably a good source of nutritious meat.

But a deformed wheat ear? That might not be safe to eat.

And oh, let's not forget the symmetry of faces. There's a reason we find symmetrical faces more attractive. 

It's a sign of health and fertility, and our brains know it well because symmetry is woven into the fabric of nature. Our ancestors, they relied on symmetry to evaluate their environment and quickly react to danger.

The Inherent Instinct for Beauty

Hardwired for Beauty: It's in Our DNA

Let's talk about something that's in our DNA - our instinct for beauty. It's not just a like or a preference; it's deeply ingrained in who we are.

Our brains, those marvelous machines, are wired to react to beauty with pure delight.

Whether it's a breathtaking landscape or a friendly face, beauty has this incredible power to unleash a flood of dopamine, that "feel-good" neurotransmitter.

It's like a little party happening inside our heads, reinforcing just how deeply beauty influences our well-being.

Beauty in Our Daily Lives: A Plea for Aesthetic Bliss

A Man-Made World

So, here's the deal: we humans, we left the cozy embrace of Mother Nature and decided to create our own world.

As we spread our wings and multiplied across the planet, we crafted an entire environment of our own making.

In our pursuit of functionality, cost-cutting, and efficiency, we sometimes left beauty by the wayside.

We ended up with rows upon rows of soulless concrete housing blocks that nobody dreams of living in, ugly underground subway stations that make commuters cringe, shabby public service buildings, and malls that stretch for miles, leaving us craving a little more soul.

A Key to Happiness: The Beauty of Our Cities Matters

Here's the thing, humans are wired to seek beauty. We crave variety and detest monotony.

Eye-tracking technology has shown that our eyes naturally gravitate toward the details and ornaments of architecture while quickly brushing over blank, uninspiring walls.

Those dull facades not only bore us; they actually make us miserable.

Skin sensors reveal that gazing upon vast, uninspiring structures triggers feelings of boredom and discomfort.

This kind of boredom has been linked to increased heart rates and stress levels. 

But on the flip side, aesthetically pleasing surroundings have a tangible impact on our well-being, behavior, cognitive function, and mood.

Let’s Dive into this below