Here's a breakdown of the video's discussion points regarding why men used to appear older:
Summary #
The video explores why men in previous decades appeared significantly older than men of the same age today. It debunks a conspiracy theory about male feminization by illuminati but acknowledges a verifiable drop in testosterone levels. The primary arguments for this perceived age difference are: increased sunscreen use, advanced skincare routines, reduced smoking rates, changes in fashion, and a societal shift in the perception of masculinity and desirable male attributes in popular culture.
Historical Examples of Older-Looking Men #
- Celebrity Comparisons:
- Johnny Cash, Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood, and Richard Nixon all at 46 appeared notably older than the speaker at 46.
- Film Examples:
- Jaws (1975): Roy Scheider (37), Robert Shaw (48), and Richard Dreyfuss (26) looked older than their actual ages, with Dreyfuss, in particular, showing white hairs at 26-28.
- Cocoon (1985): Wilford Brimley played an elderly character at age 49, contrasting with Paul Rudd at 49 in 2018.
- Superman (1978): Christopher Reeve, at 24, looked significantly older and more mature ("like David Corenswet's dad") than current Superman actor David Corenswet at 32.
Conspiracy Theory Debunked (with a nuanced observation) #
- The Theory: The Illuminati/New World Order/reptilian aliens are weakening and feminizing men through chemicals in food, water, and air to make them subservient. This is purportedly achieved by lowering testosterone levels.
- Partial Data Support: Data shows a significant drop in male testosterone levels (1% per year since the 1970s), with current 20-year-olds having levels comparable to 70-year-olds in the 1970s.
- Testosterone's Impact: Higher testosterone is linked to more masculine features (stronger jawline, wider face, more body/facial hair), while lower levels can lead to weaker jawlines, muscle loss, and difficulty growing beards.
- Attributed Causes for Testosterone Drop: Rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and increased stress/mental health issues.
- Conclusion on the Theory: While testosterone levels have dropped, suggesting a partial correlation with some aspects of the conspiracy, the video presents other "rational explanations" as more comprehensive.
Rational Explanations for Younger Appearance Today #
- Sunscreen Usage:
- In the past, people used "baby oil" for tanning and avoided SPF.
- Today, sunscreen is widely used, with frequent reapplication.
- UV rays cause up to 90% of visible skin aging, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and uneven skin tone.
- Skincare Routines:
- Past routines were minimal (e.g., bar soap, Old Spice).
- Modern routines involve multi-step processes with serums, acids, and specialized products (e.g., hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C) that decrease wrinkles, tighten skin, and delay aging.
- Smoking Rates:
- Smoking was widespread in the past across all demographics and settings.
- Smoking damages skin elasticity and firmness, reduces blood flow, and causes discoloration and dullness, all contributing to an older appearance.
- Smoking is now socially undesirable, leading to decreased rates and thus better skin health.
- Changes in Fashion:
- Historically, men wore formal attire (suits, fedoras, slacks) that made even young individuals appear more mature.
- Today, adult men often wear casual clothing (sneakers, hoodies, graphic tees, distressed jeans), which tends to make them look younger.
- Redefinition of Masculinity in Media:
- Past action stars were "hyper-masculine alpha males" (e.g., Rambo, Eastwood, Schwarzenegger) with large muscles, often appearing rugged and older.
- Modern action stars (e.g., Pedro Pascal, Timothée Chalamet) are often smaller, thinner, younger-looking, and characterized by wit and emotional depth rather than pure physical intimidation.
- Society's preference has shifted towards these "smarter" and "wittier" male archetypes, which contribute to the perception of younger-looking men in general.
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