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Elias Nevermore
Member

since 2007-11-03

Posts 152

0 posted 2009-08-27 03:15 PM

In today's society, we have created a social structure in which the public figures have become idols for the rest of the people. We uphold beauty and consider those who are not "beautiful" as unfit in the social structure.

A few years ago, my English teacher decided to play a movie in class and have us analyze it's meaning. He decided to play an old episode of the Twilight Zone, which was titled "The Eye of the Beholder". If some of you have not seen the episode, then here is a brief description of it. A woman had just performed cosmetic surgery because she had been deemed ugly in the society she lived in. Throughout the entire episode the woman's face was covered under wraps as her doctors discussed her case. The doctors, throughout the entire episode, appear to be normal humans. However, during the unwrapping of the woman's face, it is shown that the woman is beautiful and that the doctors and all the other people in her society have faces resembling that of a pig.

This episode of the twilight zone opened my eyes to the fact that beauty is subjective. Although society, through the media, may try and establish what is beautiful and what is not, in the end they aren't responsible for creating this social structure. We the people are responsible for allowing them to dictate beauty. So we should rid ourselves of these "idols", for in reality they are just humans like us. So why should any person make himself slave to such frivolous ideals when real beauty is only revealed by a person's heart.

So, my final call to action is for people to knock their idols off the pedestal they have put them on. So "kick your crosses down", and don't let anyone dictate how you are supposed to look, or how you are supposed to be. We are all humans. Never forget that.

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;" -Edgar All

fractal007
Senior Member

since 2000-06-01

Posts 1958

1 posted 2009-08-27 09:22 PM

Hey there:
I liked this little argument. I wish you'd provided a bit more to support your conclusion that those who are not beautiful are considered not fit. I know I've had that thought before too but that's tended to be when I've been in fits of anger at society

. Also, what is the role of advertisers in this problem? Are fitness and beauty not only just in the eye of the beholder but also partially needs created to be satisfied by what the advertisers are helping to sell?

In all though a good essay. I recently wrote one like it called vices I hate.

rad802
Member

since 2008-04-19

Posts 279
KY U.S.A.

2 posted 2009-09-09 06:47 AM

Thanks for sharing this. I agree, this is a problem.
There are things that do not appear to be subjective. I assume that you are referring to sexual attraction. A healthy person will be seen as being sexier than someone who does not keep themselves fit.
America has become one of the unhealthiest populations on the planet.
If you see HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP on the list of ingredients, do not buy this product.
If you are referring to other aspects of attaction, than the quality of a persons character would be at the top of my list.
Hope you are well.
Rick

A worthy legacy is the irrevocable consequence of dreaming.
Rick A. Delmonico

dragngrl28
Junior Member

since 2009-10-12

Posts 45
Texas, USA

3 posted 2009-10-14 11:14 PM

Beauty is definetly in the eye of the beholder but can also be linked to culture, time and status.

In the past in Europe lighter skin and a plumper figure were desired but only the wealthier citizens were usually in this category. Wealth made it possible for these women to remain indoors, not labor and indulge in decadant food. In a tribal African culture the desired look my be an elongated neck and enlarged earlobes but this can also be attributed to status and wealth.

Now being tanned and skinny is the desired look but I think this can also be lnked with status and wealth (or at least percieved wealth). Now a days someone who is tan would be considered someone who has the time and resources to either go to a tanning booth or vacation in sunny places. To be thin now requires constant vigilance, expensive surgery or diet programs or personal trainers (or rare genes that provide a high metabolism)since it is cheaper and less time consuming to be a bigger gal (look at all of the value meals being offered by fast food joints).

Just some thoughts on the matter.

GBride
Senior Member

since 2009-07-02

Posts 538

4 posted 2009-11-01 09:57 PM

I remember this episode of Twilight Zone.
I have not seen it since I was young.
In this world we are divided into clans.
In order to conform to the membership of that clan one needs to dress in a way that conforms to the clan's image.
For instance, a banker would not be taken seriously dressed as a outlaw biker.
We must dress in a way that conforms with which ever clan we wish to be a part of.
We must look the part if we wish to be successful.
It's a fact of life and it ain't going away anytime soon.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

5 posted 2009-11-02 06:18 PM

Nice...James

AncientHippie
Member

since 2009-10-15

Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow

6 posted 2009-11-03 05:46 PM

Good point well made, Elias. It is time for an intellectual Revolution, to kick down the old icons of crass consumerism, media manipulation, and government propaganda.
Peace.
Jim

"We are stardust: we are golden: and we've got to get ourselves back to the garden." --Joni Mitchell "Woodstock"

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