Barbie Complex
I've been watching quiet a few plastic surgery documentaries (real stories) because I'm absolutely fascinated not by the process but by the psychology and history that goes behind not only our obesesion with beauty but the evolution (or devolution) of what we consider beauty as well. I say devolution because while there have been many historical beauty trends that have been quiet frightening (the corset, the asian feet wrapping) I think the recent ones have become the most damaging for two main reasons. One we now have the power to change our appearances and second beauty is associated with success. It's become part of the check list: successful husband, two hids, big house, four cars, dog and oh yeah sillicon breasts.
Now I've watched all the people that go under the knife and I can tell you 80% need therapy not sugery. Most of them don't even having anything that's 'wrong' with them and most of them admit afterwards that it hasn't changed their life that much just their perception of themselves. That's the problem. People think fuller lips or a smaller waist will change their life. It won't. Not significantly. I think the only people that have a right to plastic surgery that ones that are immensly overweight (as in will die) and the ones that were born with a huge defect (I saw a child now born with an upper lip) or similar cases (burns from a fire). They are the only ones that can truly say the surgery would change their life. The rest are lying to themselves.
Throught out analyzing the show I began analzying myself and my own thoughts. The truth is that for many years I thought of myself as being ugly. I didn't think there was anything particularly spectacular about myself. It wasn't a very loud thought it was subtle something I had simply accepted. For one I thought my nose was too big and for another the acne wasn't that alluring either. It wasn't untill the end of grade 12 that I can honestly say I had a HUGE turn around, in preety much everything. I have matured beyong compare and I now look at myself at an objective angle. I think I am beautiful. Fucking hot if I am to be honest. Admit you, you know you check me out. Hah. I kid! But it's true. I can honestly say even if I had the money for plastic sugery I wouldn't change a thing about myself. Not the small bump on my nose, not my weird deformed little toes, not the scars on my body (childhood war trophies), nothing, I wouldn't make my breasts bigger, my theighs smaller, NOTHING! I mean it's such a surprising relief to realize that. And it's not because I delude myself with weird cliches it's because I honestly thing I'm cute. And because I realize that beauty shift every minute. I mean take something so ridiculous as the shape of eyebrows. One moment thin is in..now suddenly the stars are discovering natrual eyebrows are hot...ooo..yeah like I'm gonna get on the fucking consumer/beaty treadmill and change the shape of my body because other people think it's what I should do.
Consider beauty from a history stand point. In the late 19th century when irish immigrant began coming to America the surgery specifically involved not having the trademark irish nose (which is now ironically considered one of the most beautiful). Than when the jews began immigrating that nose was out of fashion. Before that full breasts and full hips were a sign of wealth. During the roaring twenties the boyish body was considered most beautiful (think flapper). I mean imagine keeping up with all this shit!
Now to an extent you have to because we are pack animals. But above eating healthy, exercising and grooming yourself on a regular bases I don't think people should do SHIT! Beauty has nothing to do with either success in the workforce or success in a relationship. All it get's you is alot of boys/girls hitting on you in bars. Intelligent, guts and luck get you success in business. Maturity get's you success in a relationship and boys and girl beauty is skin deep. I mean talk to all of your friends. Make a list of what you find physically attractive. You'll discover it's preety different. I remember talking to Dale or Megan or different occasions and one of us would point out some boy would like and 90% of the time the other would be like..meh he isn't my type. I mention this last point because being attractive to your partner is important. Of course! I wouldn't deny something so obvious. What isn't important is looking like the mainstream barbie and thinking that's the only way you will get a man/woman. Read any psychology book you like or simply watch human behavior. The best aphrodisiac...the appearance of power...and that's translated through confidence (that's why when you want to find a boyfriend/girlfriend you won't because people can read off the desperate factor quiet easily and it's a turnoff..in the sexual department we are 100% animals..power is what we want). I've seen it everywhere. If a guy is deemed 'coool' or holds some measure of power he will be overrun by women. The same generally happens with women only in different ways.
So I guess my message for today is plant a tree, sponser some guy in africa, adopt a pet from a shelter and just be a decent human being rather than spend your time worrying about something so trivial and vain as beauty. In the end you might get attention but you'll never get respect. Think of the difference between Marilyn Monroe and Gandhi...
Maria (I am such a guru!)
Now I've watched all the people that go under the knife and I can tell you 80% need therapy not sugery. Most of them don't even having anything that's 'wrong' with them and most of them admit afterwards that it hasn't changed their life that much just their perception of themselves. That's the problem. People think fuller lips or a smaller waist will change their life. It won't. Not significantly. I think the only people that have a right to plastic surgery that ones that are immensly overweight (as in will die) and the ones that were born with a huge defect (I saw a child now born with an upper lip) or similar cases (burns from a fire). They are the only ones that can truly say the surgery would change their life. The rest are lying to themselves.
Throught out analyzing the show I began analzying myself and my own thoughts. The truth is that for many years I thought of myself as being ugly. I didn't think there was anything particularly spectacular about myself. It wasn't a very loud thought it was subtle something I had simply accepted. For one I thought my nose was too big and for another the acne wasn't that alluring either. It wasn't untill the end of grade 12 that I can honestly say I had a HUGE turn around, in preety much everything. I have matured beyong compare and I now look at myself at an objective angle. I think I am beautiful. Fucking hot if I am to be honest. Admit you, you know you check me out. Hah. I kid! But it's true. I can honestly say even if I had the money for plastic sugery I wouldn't change a thing about myself. Not the small bump on my nose, not my weird deformed little toes, not the scars on my body (childhood war trophies), nothing, I wouldn't make my breasts bigger, my theighs smaller, NOTHING! I mean it's such a surprising relief to realize that. And it's not because I delude myself with weird cliches it's because I honestly thing I'm cute. And because I realize that beauty shift every minute. I mean take something so ridiculous as the shape of eyebrows. One moment thin is in..now suddenly the stars are discovering natrual eyebrows are hot...ooo..yeah like I'm gonna get on the fucking consumer/beaty treadmill and change the shape of my body because other people think it's what I should do.
Consider beauty from a history stand point. In the late 19th century when irish immigrant began coming to America the surgery specifically involved not having the trademark irish nose (which is now ironically considered one of the most beautiful). Than when the jews began immigrating that nose was out of fashion. Before that full breasts and full hips were a sign of wealth. During the roaring twenties the boyish body was considered most beautiful (think flapper). I mean imagine keeping up with all this shit!
Now to an extent you have to because we are pack animals. But above eating healthy, exercising and grooming yourself on a regular bases I don't think people should do SHIT! Beauty has nothing to do with either success in the workforce or success in a relationship. All it get's you is alot of boys/girls hitting on you in bars. Intelligent, guts and luck get you success in business. Maturity get's you success in a relationship and boys and girl beauty is skin deep. I mean talk to all of your friends. Make a list of what you find physically attractive. You'll discover it's preety different. I remember talking to Dale or Megan or different occasions and one of us would point out some boy would like and 90% of the time the other would be like..meh he isn't my type. I mention this last point because being attractive to your partner is important. Of course! I wouldn't deny something so obvious. What isn't important is looking like the mainstream barbie and thinking that's the only way you will get a man/woman. Read any psychology book you like or simply watch human behavior. The best aphrodisiac...the appearance of power...and that's translated through confidence (that's why when you want to find a boyfriend/girlfriend you won't because people can read off the desperate factor quiet easily and it's a turnoff..in the sexual department we are 100% animals..power is what we want). I've seen it everywhere. If a guy is deemed 'coool' or holds some measure of power he will be overrun by women. The same generally happens with women only in different ways.
So I guess my message for today is plant a tree, sponser some guy in africa, adopt a pet from a shelter and just be a decent human being rather than spend your time worrying about something so trivial and vain as beauty. In the end you might get attention but you'll never get respect. Think of the difference between Marilyn Monroe and Gandhi...
Maria (I am such a guru!)