Jeremy Meeks Master Class: The Perfect Mug Shot

For better or for worse, Friday morning, the online world was captivated by Jeremy Meeks' mug shot. Despite the information that he was arrested for a serious crime and is also a convicted felon, this image swept across the internet, and in a culture that is now dominated by images, likes, and shares, going viral offers both serious ramifications and serious reflections on our society.

So why did this photograph cause so many people to either look past or accept Meeks' alleged flaws? Clearly, he is a good looking man, but there is more to the power of an image than a person's relative attractiveness.

Jeremy Meeks' mug shot offers us a window into the inner workings of visual communication in the era of the viral star. So, for further context, let's compare Meeks' mug shot to some celebrity booking photos to see what elements of this image have given it so much power.

Even with the tattoos, Meeks still has clean-cut features that seem more fitting of an Abercrombie & Fitch model than a convicted felon.

Pictured Right: Justin Bieber (2014)

Despite his rap sheet, his eyes seem to have maintained their innocence.

Pictured Right: Chris Kattan (2014)

Just wide enough for us to get lost in them.

Pictured Right: Phil Spector (2009)

It might not come off the way that you hope.

Pictured Right: Andy Dick (2008)

This is just a good rule in general.

Pictured Right: Mike Tyson (2006)