The scientific journal Pattern Recognition published an article recently that has received attention not just from researchers, but also from journalists coming from the media world.

Here is a short description:

“Computation of a face attractiveness index based on neoclassical canons, symmetry, and golden ratios” by Kendra Schmid, David Marx and Ashok Samal

The emerging view of scientists is that the appreciation of beauty has a deep-seated biological explanation. In this study scientists have devised a computer software to predict whether a face will be considered attractive.

The program uses factors such as symmetry and the golden ratio, a proportion that has been used by artists and architects since antiquity because it is aesthetically pleasing. For this purpose, they use actual male and female faces for their analysis. Their developed model is considered accurate with low residual errors.

Unfortunately, the full article is for subscribers only (you are one of them if you have access to a university’s workstation), but for more about its content you can follow the links to the media articles below.

I’m pretty sure that some of you would react and claim that face attractiveness is a subjective matter. But is it really? Okay, if you still have your suspicions you can always try Facestat, upload a photo and get an “honest” evaluation of your face based on the wisdom (and the meanness) of crowds.

Read More @:

Telegraph “Computers try to predict pretty faces”

Health 24 “Beauty formula unveiled at last”

Math in the News “Computers can use geometry to predict pretty faces”

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