As I was rereading Chapter 1 of Amusing Ourselves to Death, I found myself thinking about what Postman states on page 4. He talks about President Richard Nixon and Senator Edward Kennedy, and how Nixon offered Kennedy the advice of losing twenty pounds when running for president. Postman later declares that "it would appear that fat people are now effectively excluded from running for high political office." I strongly believe that this is an outrage, on many levels. Just because someone may appear to be 'unqualified', does not mean they cannot get the job done. Right?
This theme that is covered on page 4 really had me thinking. The funny part is that this is a theme that can be spotted out everywhere; in movies, television shows, the news, and even in one's daily life. Many people, including myself, find ourselves putting other people down before getting to know them. For instance, in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Belle (the protagonist) finds herself being sought after by a strong and charismatic fellow named Gaston. Despite the fact that he appears to be charming, Gaston turns out to be rude, selfish and unkind. When Belle first meets Beast in the castle, he is ignorant and temperamental. As time passes, however, Belle discovers that the Beast may look horrifying, but he is really a gentle person.
Belle proves to be a primary example of how everyone should live their life. Just because someone may be "fat" or "bald", does not mean they aren't qualified for the job. Another point worth mentioning is that not all jobs require an attractive person. Postman talks about the qualifications for the appearance of a president. Why would a president need to be 'attractive'. I personally would much rather live in a country governed by an intelligent president as opposed to a good-looking one. Wouldn't you? To conclude my point, looks shouldn't be the basis for everything.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with you Joey, looks should not be the basis for everything. Back in the early 1900s before television, there was radio. Having a radio meant that people listened to one's speech and voted for them according to their ability to idealistic speaking. Since television has been invented society has based their opinions upon looks. Apparently, Arnold Schwarzenegger is better as the California Governor than Cruz Bustamante, who was the democratic candidate that lost the election. Schwarzenegger is a well known celebrity who is somewhat attractive while Bustamante is a rather short, bald, and a fat man. The difference between the two was that Bustamante talked about sensible situations that he wanted to fix and do. Schwarzenegger talked about situations he would like to do and what he would do for his state but Bustamante clearly talked more sense. Yet Schwarzenegger was elected Governor because of looks. California is not in the best shape right now and Schwarzenegger is not doing a good enough job to fix it. He was not the best person to have been chosen for this position but because of looks, popularity, and television he is California's Governor. Winning because of looks is not considered a fair election and I believe television is to blame. If society still listened to one's speech rather than watch it, then a fair election would occur.
ReplyDeleteYou are both right, but I believe that maybe the reason why they are going more for looks now is because they are trying to get the attention of the younger generation. Younger people are give more attention to the more glamorous because that is what we have been taught by the media and television. It doesn't only happen with politics and media; it happens in schools, too. Think about it: teachers that are younger get along better with their students because they can relate to them more. But I really agree with you, Joey. What does it matter how you look if you can get the job done? People need to rethink what is more important and actually listen to what these people say. Who cares if you can't "get lost in their eyes" or see yourself in their shiny muscles. RETHINK YOUR PRIORITIES.
ReplyDelete"see yourself in their shiny muscles"
ReplyDeleteLove that phrase. May steal it some day.