This monologue podcast focuses on the impact of technology on self-perception, particularly concerning beauty standards. The speaker, Elise Hu, begins by describing her experience with overly aggressive beauty filters on TikTok, introducing the concept of the "technological gaze"—an algorithmic influence shaping our self-image. She then uses examples from South Korea's cosmetic surgery culture and the widespread use of Ozempic for weight loss in the US to illustrate how technology and societal pressures create unrealistic beauty standards. Ultimately, Hu advocates for challenging these standards by celebrating diversity and rejecting a system that prioritizes appearance over inherent worth. The podcast concludes with a call to embrace one's natural appearance and resist the pressure to conform to digitally-enhanced ideals.
