Media: Seduction, Sex and Expectation

Seduction is always more singular and sublime than sex and it commands the higher price. ~Jean Baudrillard

This statement, really hits home for me. If you look at this with an interpersonal relationship in mind the meaning is clear.

From a purely sexual perspective you can say that the sexual tension and build up is often far more tempting, than the sex is fulfilling.

With a long term relationship in mind, you can interpret this to mean that the promises and "potential" of a relationship is rarely realized and both parties are left unfulfilled and feel a bit short changed or unsatisfied by their relationship.

But, the more I look at this quote I can't help to think of society and media. Media is the seduction and life (real life, not reality television) is the sex.

Television, movies, music, fairytales, magazines and various other simulations of life seduce us into thinking that these images projected are the life we should expect. Cosmo, Betsey Johnson, Cinderella and Sex and the City all tell me this is what sex, my wardrobe, my body, my mate, my friends and my life should be.

Life, being like sex, messy, dirty and complicated, can never (or almost never) live up to the seduction of media and the pervasive nature of the "should".

So we all pay the higher price, we all buy into what should be, and are disappointed but what truly is. Some pay the ultimate price, they cannot let go of fantasy and attempt to force the razor edged cookie cutter on their lives and lose that which they truly valued.

I'm not advocating settling for less than you are worth or what you "deserve" (don't forget this is the same phrase ads use to convince to but something you cannot afford and do not need!) but I'm just saying let's all temper our often self righteous claims, remember we too are flawed, and take all aspects of life with a grain of salt.

Men are included too!

I don't want to have the fellas ever think they are not included into the unrealistic body image issue as well. But, let's keep it real, this crap is not foisted upon Men to the same degree it is Women.

Or maybe it is? It doesn't appear to be to me but after all I am a Woman. I invite comments and criticism from all. Let me know, fellas.

More Flippa Fuel for the Fire

I previously blogged about the Ralph Lauren model, Flippa Hamilton, who was photo shopped within an inch of her emaciated life and the backlash Ralph Lauren Inc. received for it.

I have new updates. Apparently, famous model Flippa is pissed b/c RL Inc. fired her "fat" a**! Can you believe it?! Flippa is 5'10, 120lbs! Omg, what a fat cow!

RL Inc. denies the accusation (naturally) and states that Flippa failed to fulfill contractual obligations, one of which being, the requirement to fit into sample sizes 2-4. Please keep in ind that these are "designer sample sizes" meaning that these are not your "normal" size 2-4. Designer sizes are considerably smaller than the sizes you or I would try on at a boutique or department store. The woman is 5'10!!

Here comes the best part... both Flippa and editors of female oriented magazines are issuing a call to arms! This group of "activist" (BS!) are saying that the only way to change the fashions skewed perception of what is beautiful is for the rest of us "normal" women to stop accepting and buying in to the imagery pushed by the fashion industry.

Does anyone else see the irony in this?! If the fashion industry didn't have an unattainable image of beauty half of these stupid magazines would be out of business and the other half would barely eek out an existence. And Flippa, poor sad Flippa...she seemed just fine with this unattainable image when it included her. She was, literally the poster girl for the unattianble image. She knew she was promoting an unreal expectation and helping to lead poor, sad, self-hating 13 year old girls down a hungry, unhealthy and self defeating path as long as she was making money. I find it hard to believe that she was shedding tears all the way to the bank.

Take some F-ing responsibility! There is no doubt in my mind that we all have a part to play in the whole sick, sad game but I'll be damned if I'm going to accept the idea that it is up to me and my friends to shoulder this endeavor while cosmo's editor and super model send out the rally cry!

Empty your fat pockets and eat a carb before you come knockin on my door you implicit heifer.

P.S. Don't forget to leave your crappy crocodile tears at home when you come knockin.