Thoughts on Essay 3

In my opinion, essay three was the easiest of the three essays to write. I feel like I have established my opinion very clearly throughout my paper, and I was easily able to find sources that I believe contributed significantly to the process of writing my paper. Writing a paper has not ever been difficult for me throughout this class, and I truly believe that I didn’t have any trouble whatsoever with this essay. I strongly believe that I think people should have the final say when having a surgical procedure conducted on them. The doctor is not the patient. They perform the surgery, but do not experience the aftermath and the effects that come along with it. Having surgery performed on you can be a very traumatizing experience and the fact that it sometimes is left up to specific hospitals and doctors to make the final decision is rather saddening.

Response to Brianne's Post, "removing of limbs"

I agree whole-heartedly with Brianne’s post about the removal of limbs. I do not completely agree with the idea that someone should be able just to have their limbs removed for the sould purpose that it bothers them that they have the specific body part. When someone is troubled psychologically to the point that they cannot even look at their unwanted limbs, I believe that signals a time to see a psychiatrist, not a surgeon. People can overcome mental thoughts, and eventually they will with the proper care. However, to completely remove a body part because you don’t like it? Something is wrong with that picture. Personally, I had never heard of such a condition before I had read the assigned reading about the doctor being sued for removing a patients’ limbs upon their request. Obviously, the doctor has to serve the patient, but the situation of removing a limb is rather ridiculous.

Reaction to the last reading from the New York Times

In response to the last reading we did and our class discussion today, I can only say that I am somewhat surprised at the woman’s family for the vast majority of them being against the surgery to have her breasts and ovaries removed. Yes, she has not yet contracted breast cancer, however, why take the risk when it has been stated that she does, in fact, have the mutation and has a 60-90 percent chance of developing breast cancer down the line. I guess the thing that surprised me the most was who supported the ordeal and who was against it. The woman’s mother, who one would think would be completely for having her daughter have surgery after experiencing the trauma of breast cancer herself, was actually against it. However, the woman’s father, who I guess saw his wife experience it and didn’t want his daughter to as well, was for the surgery. Either way, in my opinion the woman made the correct move, because her health and happiness is foremost, and eliminating the possibility of cancer was the smartest move she ever made in her life.

Reaction to the recent class discussions

Recently in class we have been discussing the idea of making the human body a form of artwork. Personally, I have found this somewhat odd and seeing the actual pictures of those who have done it, make me rather nauseous. To have a star inserted under your skin as a way of showing art just does not appeal to me. In fact, I think it is quite disgusting. However, in the past few classes we have met individuals through the readings and discussions that have led to us learning more and more about specific people and what their motivation is for making their bodies works of art. For example, in the reading for yesterday, we met a gay couple in which one of the two men said he wouldn’t have gotten into body piercing if it weren’t for his partner. It appears sometimes all people need is to be opened up to a particular idea. Then they will just be able to run with it. All in all however, I feel that the idea of making the body a canvas for artwork and piercing and tattooing all over the place is rather repulsive and I do not find it attractive in the least bit.

Thoughts on the show, "Critic"

The show, “Critic” reminded me of a “Family Guy”-esque type show. It definitely had its funny and random parts that make it more entertaining. However, the underlying theme was something that we have discussed a lot in class-the idea if being accepted into normalcy. I thought the show did an excellent job of focusing on what many people do actually think when it concerns a person’s image. In the case of the episode, the main character and his little boy go to a weight loss camp to lose weight because they feel it will help them. The main storyline is that of the younger boy, who loses so much weight that he looks like a completely different person. When he’s skinny, many people look at him differently, the girls flock to him, and he even leads the main role in his school play. As an overweight individual, the show implies that this would not have been possible. Personally, I feel that the show is a comedy, and obviously used the whole idea of being skinny to be normal as a way to poke fun at society. They used a lot of different things that otherwise wouldn’t be necessarily true. However, I do feel that the show was a great depiction of how many people feel they need to change their bodies to fit into society today.

Response to Danielle's Blog Entry, "Hair=Politics???"

In response to what Danielle said about the Arizona State Professor’s take on hair trends in today’s society, I completely agree. Society today has taken the shape of the popular trend, and that is a trend in itself that I don’t see changing anytime in the near future. One point that Danielle made that I am in agreement with is that many girls, especially young black girls, are frequently dying their hair blonde to emulate older black superstars, such as Beyonce. This is also being seen with black girls attempting to mimic some white women, such as Jessica Simpson, Carrie Underwood, and other young, famous blond women. On the same token, not all black women are changing their hairstyle to a blonde look. In fact, many black young girls are cutting their hair to incredibly short lengths to emulate stars such as Halle Berry. Apparently, as Danielle points out, it is definitely a long way away from a time when popular culture won’t have an influence on society. And as is our present situation as the professor talked about, it doesn’t seem to matter whether or not one is black or white, the society will always be under the influence.