Comments on: Dream Big and Screw the Supposed “Standard” http://brianfantana.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/dream-big-and-screw-the-supposed-standard/ Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:45:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: biohelixx http://brianfantana.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/dream-big-and-screw-the-supposed-standard/#comment-29 biohelixx Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:36:04 +0000 http://brianfantana.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/dream-big-and-screw-the-supposed-standard/#comment-29 I guess I'm what you might call one of the so-called mature adults who still have issues about their looks. I'm sure you believe what you're saying (at least I hope you do), and I'm also sure you mean well (again, at least I hope you do), but if you grow up being told by every overt and not-so-overt mass message form that you can't be right or happy or something unless you're perfect, at some point that will penetrate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect and I know it, and I'm okay with that -- consciously. But my subconscious doesn't always fall into line as easily. I'm generally a self-confident and happy woman, but sometimes there are subconscious demons that raise their ugly heads in the dead of night. Unfortunately, no matter how many times my parents told me it didn't matter or it was unrealistic or just plain unobtainable/unattainable, it never resonated as clearly as the opinions of my peers and the media at large. As stated by Jhally, we no longer have a culture outside our advertising, and if it's so important, then obviously a part of us is going to realise that and treat the information from that source as such. I'm glad you're normal. I'm glad you're realistic. Or at least that you try to convince yourself to be. Maybe I'm just a cynic (no, actually, I really am), but I don't think the majority of the male of the species really think the way you do...maybe I just don't give you guys enough credit. But that happens with a lot of segments of society with me. Oops, too cynical. After so much ad-bombardment. Imagine that. I guess I’m what you might call one of the so-called mature adults who still have issues about their looks. I’m sure you believe what you’re saying (at least I hope you do), and I’m also sure you mean well (again, at least I hope you do), but if you grow up being told by every overt and not-so-overt mass message form that you can’t be right or happy or something unless you’re perfect, at some point that will penetrate.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect and I know it, and I’m okay with that — consciously. But my subconscious doesn’t always fall into line as easily. I’m generally a self-confident and happy woman, but sometimes there are subconscious demons that raise their ugly heads in the dead of night.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times my parents told me it didn’t matter or it was unrealistic or just plain unobtainable/unattainable, it never resonated as clearly as the opinions of my peers and the media at large. As stated by Jhally, we no longer have a culture outside our advertising, and if it’s so important, then obviously a part of us is going to realise that and treat the information from that source as such.

I’m glad you’re normal. I’m glad you’re realistic. Or at least that you try to convince yourself to be. Maybe I’m just a cynic (no, actually, I really am), but I don’t think the majority of the male of the species really think the way you do…maybe I just don’t give you guys enough credit. But that happens with a lot of segments of society with me. Oops, too cynical. After so much ad-bombardment. Imagine that.

]]>