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Sultana · 03-22-2006, 08:38 AM

Regarding media -
The crazy thing is that even the models don't look like the models in the mags. Think about it: First a woman who is considered to be very beautiful and photogenic (*not* the same thing, by the way!) is hired. Then she is surrounded by:
Lighting professionals
Make up professionals
Hair professionals
Clothing professionals
Photography professionals

Then after 100's of photos are taken, the best 3, perhaps, are gone over with photoshop to smooth out the bumps, the pores, the "imperfections" of being human that this model endures. And *those* are the pictures that we see. Several days of effort, teams of highly-specialized professionals, etc.

If we had that, we'd look as good. It's all about presentation, and without that presentation, the actors and models would be pretty much the same as us, give or take.

I know I can't possibly compete with that, so I don't. I've determined how much money, effort, and time I'm willing to expend on various aspects of my appearance, and what my motives are (health? vanity? trying to project a professional image to make the most of opportunities that come my way?), and what realistic expectations I can have, and then I let it go. I have too much life to live to worry (although believe you me, I totally didn't have the same mind-set in my 20's. When I think of all the time I wasted...) about stuff like that.

Regarding men -
I don't know if I mentioned this already, but when guys go shopping, and they're trying on some pants that don't suit them, they say, "These pants are too small/short/whatever." When gals shop, they say, "I'm too fat/short/pale/whatever." Such a small, yet fundamental thought process difference that I think really illustrates the difference in how women look at themselves vs. how men look at themselves.

And look at this relatively new categorization of men - Metrosexuals. Men who groom themselves more than the minimum, put more effort into their clothing, etc. - behaviors that are defined as fundamentally *feminine*. Why?
Over the centuries of human civilization, beauty and desirability have ALWAYS been the currency of female worth. That's just how it is. Not saying it's right or wrong, but I can't see it any other way. Society, with very few exceptions, has been male-dominated, and males are undeniably visually oriented. And that has shaped the path of all cultural development...which brings us back to media.

It'd be interesting to imagine how life would be different if society had been matriarchic-run/-based than patriarchic. And *please* don't think I'm imagining the world'd be a better place at all. But it would most certainly be different. What would be important to us? What wars would have been avoided, and what wars would have replaced them?

But now I think I'm getting more than a little off-topic.

03-22-2006, 08:38 AM	#60 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Regarding media - The crazy thing is that even the models don't look like the models in the mags. Think about it: First a woman who is considered to be very beautiful and photogenic (not the same thing, by the way!) is hired. Then she is surrounded by: Lighting professionals Make up professionals Hair professionals Clothing professionals Photography professionals Then after 100's of photos are taken, the best 3, perhaps, are gone over with photoshop to smooth out the bumps, the pores, the "imperfections" of being human that this model endures. And those are the pictures that we see. Several days of effort, teams of highly-specialized professionals, etc. If we had that, we'd look as good. It's all about presentation, and without that presentation, the actors and models would be pretty much the same as us, give or take. I know I can't possibly compete with that, so I don't. I've determined how much money, effort, and time I'm willing to expend on various aspects of my appearance, and what my motives are (health? vanity? trying to project a professional image to make the most of opportunities that come my way?), and what realistic expectations I can have, and then I let it go. I have too much life to live to worry (although believe you me, I totally didn't have the same mind-set in my 20's. When I think of all the time I wasted...) about stuff like that. Regarding men - I don't know if I mentioned this already, but when guys go shopping, and they're trying on some pants that don't suit them, they say, "These pants are too small/short/whatever." When gals shop, they say, "I'm too fat/short/pale/whatever." Such a small, yet fundamental thought process difference that I think really illustrates the difference in how women look at themselves vs. how men look at themselves. And look at this relatively new categorization of men - Metrosexuals. Men who groom themselves more than the minimum, put more effort into their clothing, etc. - behaviors that are defined as fundamentally feminine. Why? Over the centuries of human civilization, beauty and desirability have ALWAYS been the currency of female worth. That's just how it is. Not saying it's right or wrong, but I can't see it any other way. Society, with very few exceptions, has been male-dominated, and males are undeniably visually oriented. And that has shaped the path of all cultural development...which brings us back to media. It'd be interesting to imagine how life would be different if society had been matriarchic-run/-based than patriarchic. And please don't think I'm imagining the world'd be a better place at all. But it would most certainly be different. What would be important to us? What wars would have been avoided, and what wars would have replaced them? But now I think I'm getting more than a little off-topic. __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.