I was fortunate to catch up with Scott Westerfeld just before he flew out to LA for the Uglies Netflix premiere. In our conversation we explored everything from filters and teeth whitening to the impact of moving between Spain and the US on perceptions of beauty. I asked Scott if Americans live in a "Pretty" world and if I’m seen as living among the "Uglies."

Scott shared his thoughts on the quest for thrills in our comfortable lives—comparing it to not having a lion to chase us anymore. We also delved into the dystopian world of Uglies and its reflections on our reality, discussing the tension between control and chaos that resonates with teens caught between conforming to norms and rebelling against them.

These are just a few highlights from our 40-minute chat. I would like to have kept the conversation going all day, given that there were so many themes to explore!