Do you like to sit back and enjoy the show? Or would you rather feel like you are part of the action?
More and more people want to be involved with the entertainment they are seeking. Pop culture currently tries to get the individual involved as much as possible. People want to be part of the action because it makes us all feel "special" in some way or another. People will pay about $50 to go to Knott's Scary Farm or Halloween Horror Night at Universal Studies in order for people to scare them. But in order to keep people coming back each and every year, these theme parks have to keep making these events more and more extreme, year after year. The same thing can be said about horror movies. In order to keep people interested, they must be more and more extreme. Reality tv shows, such as Fear Factor have also become more extreme after several seasons, and the list could go on and on.
People will pay a decent amount of money to go bungee jumping or sky diving. Engaging in extreme sports is becoming more and more popular. Extreme sports are viewed, for the most part, as an acceptable way to engage in extreme activity, even though extreme sports pose a risk to the individual's engaging in the behavior. Extreme sports are an acceptable way of pushing one's body to the limit and seeing what one's body can do and not do. Every single year, people attempt to climb Mount Everest, knowing that they risk dying in pursuit of this goal. But those who die in pursuit of this goal are seen as courageous. Those who actually reach the top of Mount Everest are glorified. Extreme sports require rigid self-control, training, self-discipline especially in regards to ones body.
Anorexia and Bulimia. An individual's attempt at pushing their body to the limit. Rigid self-control and self-discipline to achieve their desired body image. But society pathologizes these individuals. Anorexia and bulimia are viewed as psychological problems even though society keeps pushing more and more extreme behavior. Anorexia and Bulimia do pose a risk to the individual engaging in the behavior, but so does extreme sports. People view anorexics and bulimics as "insane" because people wonder why anyone would risk their health and their life. But why are extreme sports viewed in a different light?
20 comments:
If I were to ever have a run way show, I would hire models that were average everyday people. I feel as though these irregular eating habits are being encouraged everywhere and by everyone. This therefore doesn't help the situation. I see your point when it comes to risking your health in sports and also with eating habits, but I think it's everyone's need to get high on something... Everytime someone throws up or reaches a mountain, smokes a joint, or goes shopping for new things, it's just giving them a quick fix. We all just do it in different ways. popamber
You make a good point about the similarities between eatting disorders and extreme sports. I think that the music along with the images are so powerful although when I look at those girls I just cringe, even though I don't when I see someone climbing a mountain. In both cases the way people are searching for something to make them feel more alive may kill them. popalexandra
Since we live in a capitalist society, efficientcy is the name of the game. We push ourselves to extreme measures to be productive. Some societies would look at our current education system and think that we are pushing ourselves way too hard. We have become a productive society and maybe we get involved with extreme activities just to fill in the void of always being on the go.
PopPeter
This is an interesting look at the similarities between living on the edge and having an eating disorder. However i think there are many things that were not included. I do believe that eating disorders are psychological disorders while jumping off of a clif may not be. It is scary to see how similar these really are but i wish that you would have looked at the differences as well.
I fail to see the connection between a psychological disease and risky recreational activities. The people who participate in extreme sports are usually not in a state that they would not be able to pry themselves out of without psychiatric help whereas anorexics aren't usually in it for the glory, prestige, or social recognition. The "extreme" cycle of entertainment has also been known to push back the other way. There are social backlashes in popular culture that push those back and even go the other way. It feels like you are trying to say that popular culture is pushing itself to the point of breaking and I feel that like most social constructions inertia will always be in favor of existing structures.
-PopThor
the imagery says it all. eating disorders are a serious matter. i do not know what i feel about everything but that video with the pictures really demonstrates how much of a problem anorexia and bullimia has in our society
popchristopher
the imagery says it all. eating disorders are a serious matter. i do not know what i feel about everything but that video with the pictures really demonstrates how much of a problem anorexia and bullimia has in our society
popchristopher
I think this is a very interesting connection, one I've definitely never thought about before. I think this theory has some merit, however, I think there is a major difference that prohibits too much of a connection. The fact is that people who engage in extreme sports tend to be well-trained and know exactly what the risks are. Rock and mountain climbers do the acitivity in groups with safety instructors and gear. People with eating disorders are on their own, and most likely, not entirely aware of what the risks are. Sure, they know it's not healthy, but not really how bad it can be. Did Terry Schaivo know that her anorexia could lead to irreversible brain damage? Yes an eating disorder is pushing yourself to the edge, just like an extreme sport. But it is much riskier, and I think some different psychological aspect is coming into play. Not one that is pushing for a rush, but maybe something more about self-control. One more difference is that people who do extreme sports do it for fun, for amusement, to relax,...whatever. I highly doubt that people with an eating disorder sit around and decide to purge because it could be fun. But I very much enjoyed your video and the analysis.
-Amelia
I think the psychological aspects of both extreme sports and eating disorders pose good compiments to each other because of how they exert the body. However, it's interesting how it ties into pop culture. I would say that a major factor is that people WILL watch things like Fear Factor for the thrill of watching people eat/do whatever possible. But if people watched say a reality show about Bullemia, they would probably only watch it out of disgust or interest in why people would submit themselves to that kind of activity, even though they may not realize the psychological implications of the disorders. I think of Nip/Tuck or something as an example possibly.
PopTony
I think the psychological aspects of both extreme sports and eating disorders pose good compiments to each other because of how they exert the body. However, it's interesting how it ties into pop culture. I would say that a major factor is that people WILL watch things like Fear Factor for the thrill of watching people eat/do whatever possible. But if people watched say a reality show about Bullemia, they would probably only watch it out of disgust or interest in why people would submit themselves to that kind of activity, even though they may not realize the psychological implications of the disorders. I think of Nip/Tuck or something as an example possibly.
PopTony
The connection you made between extreme sporta and anorexia and bulemia is an interesting one. The way these practices are framed can mean the difference between being socially admired or viewed as one of our times greatest social ills. The power popular culture has to frame behavior in specific lights is very powerful and i think that your blog does and excellent job of demonstrating that. One of the most interesting parts of your blog was the way the youtube video made me feel. Seeing those wome's emaciated bodies scroll by to the tune of "Eye of the Tiger" made me feel really uncomfortable...
PopCaitlin
Being a swimmer and water polo player I do not see the connection between sports and eating disorders. Although, maybe in sports such as gymnastics or ice skating, weight may be an issue, as for other sports, I feel that weight is not an important factor in them.
From being an athlete, I know that you need as much nutrients and "feul" to be able to compete and participate. It was always important for me to have a nice hardy meal the night before a big meet, so that I would get all the carbohydrates that I would be burning off in the next days swim meet. Without those carbs, your body can not perform properly.
-popcaroline
"Anorexia and Bulimia do pose a risk to the individual engaging in the behavior, but so does extreme sports. People view anorexics and bulimics as "insane" because people wonder why anyone would risk their health and their life. But why are extreme sports viewed in a different light?"
Although I doubt the this person actually had an eating disorder and I don't think that Anorexia should be compared to extreme sports; I do believe there is some truth in the above quote. The perspective that claims society perpetuates anorexia is not a new idea. That having been said, it is clear that people with eating disorders are still viewed in negative light when, as far as I'm concerned, they're morally superior and amazingly more disciplined than nearly any other class of people on the planet. There are many that are honored for risking their lives over nothing, but surely not anorexics.. I can see many reasons why society treats anorexia the way it does. I think the best reason is normal people are scared shitless of anorexics just by their overrall appearance. Although I would never call an anorexic ugly for his/her weight (bones are beutiful!), it is true that men are attracted to fat more than anything.. and we all know men control our social perspectives.
i never thought of extreme eating disorders and extreme sports of being in the same catergory. To be honest i'm no sure if i'm still failing to see the connection, but you pose an interesting theory. i suppose both have to do with pushing our bodies to the limits, however skiing down a mountain seems healthier than food deprevation. perhaps this is not the point though, you're not exactly looking at the end result or a direct connection between the people who engage in these activities so much as the extreme processes they go through in getting there and i think its very thought provoking.
What the guy said above me was pretty good. I also think that this question may stem from the "high" interest people recieve when they engage and succeed in an extreme sport. I know that some people who suffer from eating disorders find the ability to with hold themselves from eating (and/or purging) to be empowering. I suppose one could say the feeling of empowerment is just like a high. Needless to say, I really don't think people should be comparing a disease with an extreme sport. So yes, obviously the person who started this thread does not suffer from an eating disorder.
Men are attracted to secondary sex characteristics. Some of these characteristics include a certain amount of fat. For example, 90% of breast tissue is fat. With men, fat has to be proportioned in a specific way in order for them to find a woman attractive. If we look at the Victoria's Secret supermodels, we can see that most of they're body fat is stored in the areas where men will find it attractive. We'll never see one of those models with tiny breasts and a huge gut. That's just not attractive at all. Usually guys will also go for the women who fall within their normal bmi index. Hence the fat factor.
i dont get it. how could you possibly compare the two?
fun sport vs. life-threatening disease?
i'm totally lost.
Well I think when he said extreme maybe he was thinking like sky-diving which you could die doing, BUT that's like a moment in your life. Not a constant thing. But I still don't get it.
I think that this is a very interesting comparison. The two differences I would not between extreme sports and eating disorders, is 1)the motivation behind the behavior of the person with an eating disorder is an actual diagnosable illness, and 2) the goal of the person with an eating disorder is actually to cause a harm to their body (in one sense or another) while the extreme athlete trains to make his body as strong/functional as possible
PopRyan
OK so maybe I hang out with crazy people, but i have to say that the positive images that people have of those who get hooked on extreme sports probably comes from only a glancing familiarity with these subcultures. I have done research on ultramarathon cyclists and on rock climbers and I think that most people are in it for fun and enjoyment...like most people diet to feel and look better. But, man there is always the segment of these populations that are all about control. Control of their own bodies and that becomes the thing that totally consumes them. They talk endlessly about the ride or the route that is the most challenging and how they got within 12 inches of the top before the came of the wall and how next season they will conquer it, yada yada yada. The obsession is very similar to the constant checking of calories and inches that eating disorder folk engage in. There are more of these folks out there than we might initially think and they are very elitest about their sports. They are also those who climb difficult climbs without a rope and alone and those who ride the San Fran-LA double century without any sleep. It is a whole little culture out there and it is pretty darn fascinating...but Britni's point is really illustrated...we might begin to see these folks as pathological, but why are we so resistant to see both groups as motivated by total control of their bodies? poppat
in a way i think these people are trying to be indivduals and stand out in their sport. also being the best at something can becoem and obsession and it will turn into a disease. for example, gambling can become an addiction. i think many things taken to the extreme are not healthy
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