The Hood Ornament Hasn't Been Installed Yet.
Way back when, I wrote a post regarding why this blog is here. Here's an excerpt from it that I'll be expanding on today:
The third reason is to give a voice to something that is often objectified- the nude body. Whether it's porn, art, or in between, these figures are usually silent. I know I can't be the only one who finds images where one has at least a hint of who this person is or what the context was when it was created much more intriguing, as well as easier to appreciate on multiple levels.
In my last entry, I was lamenting my hairy body as well as the fact that I had to conform to a certain extent in order to be able to continue a career as a nude model. A commenter remarked that shaving my pubic hair would just lead to male objectification. I asked for clarification.
In any event, to answer your question about shaving one's pubic hair and male objectification, I say it has to do with how males operate mentally. We are nearly always more visually-oriented than women. Seeing something gets a bigger reaction from us than hearing it or smelling it or tasting it. The more modified from the norm a woman's body is, the more the man's mind sees that body less as a human being and more as a thing that looks good. It's the same reason people, both men and women, like cars that look 'cool'. A car doesn't NEED to look cool to function, but when it's been tricked out with $50,000 dollars worth of modifications at West Coast Customs it's suddenly more than just a means of transportation, it's a thing of pride and joy. It's a personal statement of style.
Strictly speaking, and no offense intended, the female body IS an object, just as a plain, unadorned car is an object. But when those objects are primped and polished to within an inch of their life as with porn actresses and 'pimped rides', it's far easier to see them less for their intrinsic value as a person and a means of transportation respectively and more as Jenna Jameson, Hot Slut Extraordinaire and the Pussy Wagon, Hick Dream Truck.
Jesus Christ. Where to begin?
Okay. I looked it up, and regarding males being more visually-oriented than females when it comes to sex, he's probably right on that one. Whether that's genetic or learned or what is still up for debate.
But, okay, that's that. Let's get straight to the point.
I am not a plain unadorned car. I am, however, a thing of pride and joy to the people in my life. And, despite a full bush, many people find me attractive. If they didn't, I'd probably be out of a job.
Should women avoid being attractive or stop shaving because it makes them more prone to objectification?
And, while we're at it, are all men really that shallow and misogynist?
It boggles the mind.
Let's get back to one of the reasons for this blog's existence. Bush or no, decked out or not, women are objectified far too often. This blog is an attempted step towards seeing a person behind a silent image of an object. If my words aren't enough to break through that objectification- I've failed.
But I don't think this blog has failed. Let's end with another comment left on this blog.
Came for the boobs, stayed for the site.
Photography by Tom, taken in August, 2006.
The third reason is to give a voice to something that is often objectified- the nude body. Whether it's porn, art, or in between, these figures are usually silent. I know I can't be the only one who finds images where one has at least a hint of who this person is or what the context was when it was created much more intriguing, as well as easier to appreciate on multiple levels.
In my last entry, I was lamenting my hairy body as well as the fact that I had to conform to a certain extent in order to be able to continue a career as a nude model. A commenter remarked that shaving my pubic hair would just lead to male objectification. I asked for clarification.
In any event, to answer your question about shaving one's pubic hair and male objectification, I say it has to do with how males operate mentally. We are nearly always more visually-oriented than women. Seeing something gets a bigger reaction from us than hearing it or smelling it or tasting it. The more modified from the norm a woman's body is, the more the man's mind sees that body less as a human being and more as a thing that looks good. It's the same reason people, both men and women, like cars that look 'cool'. A car doesn't NEED to look cool to function, but when it's been tricked out with $50,000 dollars worth of modifications at West Coast Customs it's suddenly more than just a means of transportation, it's a thing of pride and joy. It's a personal statement of style.
Strictly speaking, and no offense intended, the female body IS an object, just as a plain, unadorned car is an object. But when those objects are primped and polished to within an inch of their life as with porn actresses and 'pimped rides', it's far easier to see them less for their intrinsic value as a person and a means of transportation respectively and more as Jenna Jameson, Hot Slut Extraordinaire and the Pussy Wagon, Hick Dream Truck.
Jesus Christ. Where to begin?
Okay. I looked it up, and regarding males being more visually-oriented than females when it comes to sex, he's probably right on that one. Whether that's genetic or learned or what is still up for debate.
But, okay, that's that. Let's get straight to the point.
I am not a plain unadorned car. I am, however, a thing of pride and joy to the people in my life. And, despite a full bush, many people find me attractive. If they didn't, I'd probably be out of a job.
Should women avoid being attractive or stop shaving because it makes them more prone to objectification?
And, while we're at it, are all men really that shallow and misogynist?
It boggles the mind.
Let's get back to one of the reasons for this blog's existence. Bush or no, decked out or not, women are objectified far too often. This blog is an attempted step towards seeing a person behind a silent image of an object. If my words aren't enough to break through that objectification- I've failed.
But I don't think this blog has failed. Let's end with another comment left on this blog.
Came for the boobs, stayed for the site.
8 Comments:
This is one entry I'm at a loss as to how to respond to. It's my own words, so I'm inclined to stand by them on general principle. On the other hand, it bothers me to be thought of as shallow and misogynist. I don't hate women. At least I don't think I do.
So here's what I believe, now that I'm fully awake. Take it or leave it, and as always, I could be wrong...
I believe that any attempt by men or women to 'look attractive' is an attempt to objectify oneself in a positive light. The goal of the fight against objectification is to be seen for what one is 'inside', right? So by that definition any external beautification can only serve to distract from the 'more pure' goal of being seen for one's true self. Showing off one's cleavage is just as objectifying as showing off one's biceps. And it's just as distracting from knowing the person behind the breasts or biceps.
Humans aren't special. We like to think we are, but we're just really smart animals. Like most other animals, we have certain physical attributes which make some members of the species more naturally attractive than others. And like a few animals, we use artificial means to enhance our natural attractiveness to find mates. It really IS that simple, and any protests to the contrary strike me as disingenuous and arrogant.
Daniel,
You yourself said that "men are idiots." I didn't say it. I challenge it. I say that men are not idiots, and are fully capable of appreciating women(and men, for that matter) on multiple levels.
1. I don't think humans are merely "smart animals". A thousand monkeys, in one millions years, won't invent an I-Pod (unless they evolve into humans during that time).
2. You know what I think objectifies men and women? Bodyscapes type of photography. That's the kind where people take closeups of the human body, to the point where the whole frame is filled with a shoulder, nipple, genitals, etc. Also, I think this applies to almost any photography where you can't see the person's eyes. In my opinion, the "eyes are the windows to the soul" argument is completely valid.
What I like about this page is that Candy has very intelligent/sensitive eyes, a beautiful physique, and combines it with independent-minded thinking. I think it is a great statement that she has bared her body, her thoughts, and her identity here -- basically made herself very vulnerable in multiple ways. But comes across as strong and smart.
clearly, you succeed in your goal with this blog... only the most shallow among our gender could miss the fact that the woman inside of that skin is altogether more compelling than the skin itself (which, given that lovely skin, is quite saying something).
as for those that miss the fact, that aren't paying attention, don't care, or are simply too maladjusted to "get" women in all their facets, well... that's less an aspect of the male gender as it is the lowest common denominator of the human condition... plenty of women are similarly impaired.
thanks for sharing so much with us... hope you don't get tired of it any time soon.
as for your question "all all men that shallow...?" well, one can only hope you mean such rhetorically.
If you get a hood ornament, Candy, could you make it that "winged victory" statue that they have on the Lincoln Continental?
You used my quote! Thanks.
Men are visually stimulated because of genetics. Specifically, a female fertility ( not ovulation mind you, but actual child bearing ability ) is primarily indicated through physical clues. Waist hip ratio of 70% indicates high fertility, clear eyes ( the whites ), breast symmetry, etc. You will find that in fact, all the features that tend to be highlighted by photographers and plastic surgeons, play a role in a womans fertility rate.
Humans INSTINCTS are animal, male and female, but human THOUGHT is another matter. And while thought can override instinct, it cannot as yet wipe it out or ignore it.
As an aside, I did like that comment "came for the boobs, stayed for the site". It made me laugh, cause I popped over from another link and didnt realize the theme until I was three posts in! ( my wife was quite dissappointed )
Your closing line made me smile.
BAC
Post a Comment
<< Home