And , to what lengths can or should we go to make ourselves more beautiful? ( Line 1 ) 2 、 Now, I think that in today’s world, it is important to look your best. ( L6 ) 3 、 Seldom do people think about the r eal dange r s of this obsession with looks , both f r om eating diso r de r s and fo r m having cosmetic su r ge r y. ( L13 ) 4 、 Host : S i nce you're a h i stor i an perhaps you could g i ve us a br i ef historical perspect i ve on th i s. ( L17 ) EC: Well , there are lots of examples of societies in which people have done some horrendous th i ngs to try to make themselves look more beautiful. For instance, some European women used to have the i r bot t om r i bs removed so that they would have th i n wa i sts. Neck stretching was fashionable in some parts of South-East Asia. In Africa, there were tribes which stretched their ear lobes or lips. I think it is ridiculous that people ---- usually women ----- have been forced by society to endure such considerable pain and suffering.