'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?' 'No,' said the child. 'What is it?'
- The Mouse and his Child. Russell Hoban.
Go here to find out more.
No idea.
ReplyDeleteI know I should know him, but I can't place him. Is he an actor or a politician or an airline clerk? What I really want to know is what is that red pin on his lapel?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea who that is!
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ReplyDeleteI am sure Kate that your intentions are pure as the driven snow but I think that these Eye Candy thingies you do actually perpetuates the idea of men and women as objects. It is an objectification that is rampant throughout our whole culture. They are all very good looking men so there is inescapably the implication that they are Eye Candy because of their sexual attraction. I feel this buys into the whole Barbie Doll objectification of people having value for how they look, and their sex appeal - not what or who they are in a more expansive or 'global' way. Do any of these objectified men have a good heart ? are they kind and generous ? Are they wise?
ReplyDeleteEye Candy pictures buys into the cultural messages that we imbibe without questioning - success and value being measured in terms of money, looks, success blah, blah, blah - all the crap that we have been fed from day one of our existence.
If beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, perhaps we need to ask ourselves what the definition of beauty is - and quite often that beauty is more than just skin deep.
What do you think?
You are correct in all you say Alden. And I completely agree. However may I add that this is not the whole story. It is my head that agrees with you, my 'civilised' higher brain. However my genes love to look on superficial beauty, symmetry, grace and pretty people. And that is a part of all of us too.
ReplyDeleteI am aware Kate of the difference between objectification and the objective viewing of symmetry. I have read that we are attracted to faces and bodies that show great symmetry, there being some relationship between physical symmetry and genetic fitness. The other factors are of course our changing cultural view of what is considered beautiful and the old philosophical arguments regarding Platos 'Forms' etc etc. But! I am not entirely convinced by your explanation - perhaps I will be if you post an 'Eye Candy' photograph of a perfectly symmetrical Hippopotamus or Gazelle or perhaps even a Cougar.
ReplyDeleteI found perfect symmetry in my plate of porridge this morning Alden. Does that count in the meantime until I save up enough for my African safari?
ReplyDeleteTo see a World in a plate of porridge
ReplyDeleteAnd a Heaven in eye candy,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your symmetrical hand
And Eternity in a Hippopotamus.
All entirely doable I would say.