The Internet Makes Me Feel Fat

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When you think about it, a lot of the things in The Matrix is really kind of limited, not exactly the kind of thing you'd do if you "free your mind." Sure Neo can fly, (so can Superman, that's not exactly new) but that kind of "power" is based on or references the limitation of gravity, which is also limited to the idea of a body located in space for that matter. Even if you're going to do that, why not teleport?

So the freedom that comes with the online world is also one that references existing structures, the fact that we have a body, social needs and the like. Simply put, a lot of the influence with stuff like this is peer pressure, or at least peer influence. While social influence is powerful, it is by no means the only factor nor is it the most intelligent - but a lot of people seem to act like it is. If you follow the crowd you probably don't think for yourself, or just don't think period - and if the crowd largely consists of people like this it's no wonder it's not very smart. Rather than being a unique individual that contributes to the collective, people tend to try to fit in to the collective and be preoccupied with being accepted and liked - and a bunch of people looking to follow someone else isn't exactly a recipe for genius.

So to me this positive reinforcement from the virtual world is just the same crap turned upside down. For better or worse, it's all waiting for outside influence to change you, when it is questionable that you'd even want to be changed in that particular way. We can talk about how twisted our standards are, but why even identify with that at all? Outside of how we're hardwired biologically, standards as a psychosocial construct will only limit you. So the question is, do you really prefer being with the/a crowd over being free?

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Posted By: Davincidoll @ 09/07/2008 4:53:05 AM

It's good that men and women are worried about their bodies. The internet gives and extreme impression of what is "normal", yes, but ignoring body image altogether to avoid guilt is not healthy either. Sure lets blame the internet. How about instead of focusing on not being "fat" we are more focused on being active and healthy? Because it's not cheap and it's not easy? In America weight is it one of our biggest concerns because it is leaning us towards obesity, diabetes, heart complications, etc. You know the whole song and dance. If you are on the computer all day obsessing then you get what you "paid" for.
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Posted By: yourmomgoestocollege @ 09/07/2008 12:13:46 AM

Nerds: People who are looked down upon socially, but they just happen to be really smart and the ones you go to for help with your computer, homework - whenever you can't figure out something yourself.
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Posted By: yourmomgoestocollege @ 09/07/2008 12:07:20 AM

When you think about it, a lot of the things in The Matrix is really kind of limited, not exactly the kind of thing you'd do if you "free your mind." Sure Neo can fly, (so can Superman, that's not exactly new) but that kind of "power" is based on or references the limitation of gravity, which is also limited to the idea of a body located in space for that matter. Even if you're going to do that, why not teleport?

So the freedom that comes with the online world is also one that references existing structures, the fact that we have a body, social needs and the like. Simply put, a lot of the influence with stuff like this is peer pressure, or at least peer influence. While social influence is powerful, it is by no means the only factor nor is it the most intelligent - but a lot of people seem to act like it is. If you follow the crowd you probably don't think for yourself, or just don't think period - and if the crowd largely consists of people like this it's no wonder it's not very smart. Rather than being a unique individual that contributes to the collective, people tend to try to fit in to the collective and be preoccupied with being accepted and liked - and a bunch of people looking to follow someone else isn't exactly a recipe for genius.

So to me this positive reinforcement from the virtual world is just the same crap turned upside down. For better or worse, it's all waiting for outside influence to change you, when it is questionable that you'd even want to be changed in that particular way. We can talk about how twisted our standards are, but why even identify with that at all? Outside of how we're hardwired biologically, standards as a psychosocial construct will only limit you. So the question is, do you really prefer being with the/a crowd over being free?