|
Ali et al,
I read this post the whole way through, and then took a little time to think about it. I've been heavier, I've been lighter, I've got family with weight problems, etc. I'm not going to address a lot of the health-related issues, or really even the discussion of skier and company on the role/necessity of stereotypes in social interactions - although I think it's an interesting topic. Maybe later. What I will say is this:
I really hate the fact that you have taken offense at comments posted here on the forum. While I agree that ultimately one's emotional state and sensitivity to one's environment is, technically, within that individual's control (I'm not arguing this here - maybe elsewhere - it's just my personal belief); I always hate to see people's feelings get hurt, and I think that's the root situation here. It seems that the comments you have taken offense to are rarely directly aimed at specific people, but are the results of ingrained perceptions, etc. Without arguing the merits of these perceptions, I would only like to say that I'm pretty sure I don't want to live in a world where no one is offended. I think it would stifle too much freedom of thought and speech, and would cut down way too much on the amount of levity we have in expressing ourselves - whether in anger, indignation, or humor. No matter what a person says, it's probably going to offend someone. I don't think it's possible to have a forum with any true amount of diversity and expect that you (general you) will not be offended by some of the comments, whether it be concerning politics, religion, or the type of situation at hand involving questions of social perception.
As far as my own perception of overweight people, the only perception I think I truly form when I meet them is the following : if a pack of wild, ravenous hyenas comes racing down the hall, I might just be ok, via the "I don't have to be the fastest guy on the planet, just faster than that guy" theory. No offense to anyone, but them's the facts. Other than that, I really don't think I give a flip.
__________________
You don't love me, you just love my piggy style
|