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| Beware ageism, sexism, cynicism, skepticism...I will find you where ever you are...Some of you I will embrace, some of you I won't |
I am realizing as I age, I have become very aware of various "isms". A hyper-awareness, really. My powers for sensing any of the "isms" borders on "Superpowers". This is especially true in regards to ageism, skepticism, cynicism, and sexism.
Thought Number One: What Were They Thinking?
So imagine my shock and dismay when I heard that Itunes pulled the app "Plastic Surgery & Plastic Doctor & Plastic Hospital" game off of their site. I wasn't shocked by it going away as much as I was shocked to discover it had existed and I had missed it.
It turns out that that this app was geared for girls NINE years old and older to "fix" the unattractive girl and make her more Barbie like. According to the games intro, it says "This unfortunate girl has so much extra weight that no diet can help her. Will you operate, Doctor?" Then the player gets to inject her with anesthetic, make incisions with a scalpel, and suck the excess fat from her body with what appears to be a bicycle pump.
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| Already, I see a problem. |
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| Lipo and a face lift...that is going to hurt |
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| Really? They use a bicycle pump? Who knew??? |
Who would of thought this was fun or appropriate for young girls to judge the girl as unattractive and then "need" to fix her? Evidently the creator, who is listed as Corina Rodriquez , thought this was a great premise for a game. The people at EverydaySexism weren't laughing and started a Twitter campaign to protest. Evidently, the public's disapproval resulted in the game being dropped.
I, absolutely agree with the EverydaySexism people, that there is a component of sexism involved with the game but there are a lot of other "nesses" and "isms" involved as well. I would say one of the biggest issues is the age inappropriateness with a dab of ageism. To me, it appears that there are a couple of issues with regards to age. The age of the "unfortunate" fat girl is targeted to a younger woman...the implication that women are not able to be anything other than young and beautiful.
Thought Number Two: Speaking of Age Inappropriateness
As all my readers know, I tend to be conflicted on most issues and aging and body image is currently resting smack-dab on the top of the heap of things that bother me.
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| That is the complete list. Let me know if I left any out. |
In one breath, we are hearing more and more "experts" tell us we need to love our bodies and except ourselves for who we are. BUT, how is that possible when we are constantly bombarded by programming and marketing that reinforces that only young, perfect bodies are beautiful. I feel a pinch of hypocrisy every time a commercial comes on that talks about anti-aging products while the model who is smearing the miracle product on her face is still in her 30s.
I am all "in" on working diligently to ward off the effects of aging. Eating right...check! Exercise...check! But, let's be realistic. There isn't anyone that is going to look 30 when they are 70 or 80 even if they spend 100s of thousands of dollars on plastic surgery. Last week when Oprah turned 60, there were several interviews that claimed 60 is the new 40. One interviewer compared Oprah to a 30 year old. (can we say "suckup?) NUH-UH...60 is still 60. Some people carry it off better than others for sure....but a 60 year old has still been around for sixty long years.
Just this morning, I had a run-in with feeling my age....well actually I was feeling like a 7 year old in a time warp. I had to have a wisdom tooth pulled this morning. (I would say if there are numerous errors in this post, I might suggest that pain drugs are causing that....that's the excuse for today anyway.)
I haven't lost a tooth since I was a kid. In fact, it was so long ago, I don't really remember the last tooth that was pulled. Of course, on those teeth it was more the "wiggle, wiggle" bite into something and it's out...kind of deal. This time it was more complicated with an oral surgeon involved. Why my wisdom tooth decided to come in at this late date and start crowding the other teeth that had already staked their claim on my limited amount of gum real estate, I have no idea. That tooth, doesn't understand that coming in at this late date is not age appropriate. Guess we showed him.
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| Do I get a lollipop after this is over? No ...not even a free toothbrush??? |
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46 comments:
Oh a promoter of superpowerism.
I really don't want to know, but you started me wondering if that awful app maker did one related to penis size.
Investing in wisdom teeth - probably not wise.
One great thing about an older body is it is still living. Yeah, that might not make anyone's list. Ok here's another, I think gray hair looks good. Of course, I'm bias. One performer who rocks her bit of gray (I suspect the other area might be touched up) is Bonnie Raitt (64).
I hate those ads for anti wrinkle creams done by someone who looks like she is only 30 at best maybe they are older but they don't look it and I guess that is the point of the add but let's be honest here it is not going to make me buy the product, even those ads done by people I know are older like Jane Fonda I still can't help but think you look so good because you have a make up team making you look good. I am 51 and I don't have wrinkles but I also don't have smooth skin.
Now to that app about making a fat girl look good, that is disgusting and wrong and it should have been pulled. It is hard enough for young girls to love accept themselves without such rubbish making it harder.
I used to have issues with the face cream ads and the hair care ads until one day Little Man looked at me after a commercial was over and said "Nonni, you need some of that" From the mouths of babes....
Great thoughts!
--Trina
There's no way that game is real and not some publicity stunt or a manufactured thing to make the internet angry. That sucks you have a latent wisdom tooth. Request the full anesthesia. All of it, anything that will knock you completely out. Good luck to you.
First off, any female who thought that an adult thing like lipo would be appropriate for 9 year olds needs her head kicked in.
It's what I like to call, bullshitism!
Second, I had my top wisdom pulled when I was 17 and the bottom two out six months later (a week before my 18th birthday) and turned them into earrings! As seen here - http://www.jewelsdiva.com.au/2009/05/my-wisdom-teeth-earrings-yes-i-do-wear.html
Yep, that's what I call, thinking outside the boxism!
Third, um, Cheryl, Oprah turned 60, yep.... um.... 60....backs away slowly.....for what I like to call a quick escapism!
roflmao!
Good to see you on TST today. Like I said last week, you are on a roll with your posts. Another great one. I find it hard to believe the plastic surgery game was real but I found it online. The emphasis on "thin" and "beautiful" makes me sick, especially when it's played on young girls. I agree, it's wonderful to stay in shape but it's not the end-all of life. Instead of grieving the physical changes of aging, I wish more people would appreciate the positive changes in attitude that can come with age, changes like worrying less about what others think and being thankful for the little things in life.
Pursuing the goal of eternal youth and beauty via plastic surgery is ridiculous. Look at Joan Rivers. Even stretched tight as a drum and pumped full of plastic filler, her true age is revealed every time she walks -- she moves like an 80 year old. Which is what she is. There's no disguising or changing the truth.
Sorry for the slow response. I was down for the count yesterday. Yes, that is a good point that "still living" is a bonus. As far as graying hair being a "fun" and "awesome" change...I would say that it is in your case. You have really good hair...and the fact you have your hair is a super duper bonus. I lot of men wish they could say the same. I would say the majority of people would say graying hair is "doable" but they aren't doing backflips about it.
I think Bonnie Rait looks great in that pic. I suspect that she has had a bit of refining with fillers but I don't fault her that at all. She looks awesome and not overdone.
I think most of the models for anti-age products are younger than the audience they are targeting with the product. I am a sucker for buying products that promise "rolling back the clock". I have never found one that made me look any younger (in my estimation) OR maybe I would look 20 years older had I not used them.
I, totally, agree with you Jo-Anne...that app was awful. The message it sends to young girls is so disturbing. I am so tired of the mixed messages that the marketing people put out. One will tout "be proud of who you are" and the next one says that you have to be thin to be pretty. Rubbish...for sure!!
Well..Nonni (love that) I seriously doubt that you need any anti-aging cream but little one's have a funny perspective on things. I laugh at the occasional comment from my grandkids regarding "how old" I am...mainly because if I took it to heart I'd need therapy. I guess when you are 5 or 6 even 20 something would look old.
I would of thought the same about that game not being real but all the articles (and there are tons of them) talk about it being yanked. If it was a gag, it really was a doozy of a bad one.
I went in yesterday, scheduled for general anesthesia but at the last minute the surgeon thought it looked like it would be easy to remove with a local. As with all tooth related procedures, the shots are the worst part. Today will be a long day. I am learning to hate Jello rather quickly.
Do Picklopes have teeth?
I just adore your comments...head kicked in, huh? I was thinking more along the lines of letting 9 year olds loose with a scalpel and a bicycle pump but then I have a thing for irony.
New word...bullshitism. I like it...That needs to make the cut next year for induction into the Oxford Dictionary. There is so much bullshit flying around these days, there really should be a word for it.
Ouch..holy hell...torture..getting four wisdom teeth removed within a 6 month span. I can't even imagine how much that would hurt. I am being a big ole baby with just this one coming out. I admire your creativity. Pretty funny really. I would think that there is a market for teeth earrings. Know any dentists???
I stand corrected...in fact I will go back and change that. In my loopiness yesterday, I was thinking 50 but you are absolutely right. That even makes the comments by the suckups about how she compares to 30 year olds more ridiculous.
Thanks, Bud. I have yet to read any of the others that joined in yesterday but
plan on using today as a catch up on blog reading day. Yesterday was a lost day for me.
Wendy, from Live Life in the Crescendo, and I have been corresponding a bit about the media and cultural attitudes dealing with agism lately...but the subject of aging is so closely related to the marketing of "how bodies of any age" should look. I agree with you that this unrealistic expectation of thin and beautiful is setting up a scenario for a lot of unhappy people. More than that...we should all be young, thin and beautiful.
What???? We are supposed to be having positive changes in our attitude as we age???
I am not sure that is the case with me. The more nonsense, I see and hear makes me take on more skepticism than I had in my youth. I will say though, I am a thankful person. I have a very nice life and recognize that every single day.
Debra, I try my best not to look at Joan Rivers as it freaks me out and usually she is talking smack about someone and I want to punch her.
But...you are right...All those over "done" celebrities aren't really masking their age, as much as they are changing to a plastic looking version of their age. I don't understand how people think those plumped up lips and stretched out eyes are any more attractive than the naturally aging equivalent.
I will NEVER understand why people go under the knife, constantly, trying to ward off age. It can't be done, so accept it with grace. Age can be beautiful too. It's what shines out of the eyes that makes a woman beautiful, not large puffy lips or a drum-like skin.
I can't believe that they actually made an app for plastic surgery for kids, or that it managed to get past Apple to be sold on iTunes, in the first place!
I think that we will only stop this unrealistic image of what women should look like, if they made it illegal to airbrush photos in the media and I can't see that happening.
That game is amazing. Maybe it was commissioned by a group of plastic surgeons to encourage more liposuction since it's so easy and fun it can be done with a bicycle pump. I like that the internet is so good at spreading stupidity.
I've actually never had my wisdom teeth removed. They just never came in deep enough to merit taking them out.
My brother-in-law, for his 30th birthday, recently got himself plastic surgery. He got a nose job and a chin job, and he looks... odd. Not in a bad way, he's just not himself anymore. To be honest, it's unsettling. I guess I'm just comfortable in my own skin, but I can't imagine changing my looks. I've had my own looks for 30 years, and while I'm no Brad Pitt, I have no desire to change it. The thought of waking up one day, looking in the mirror, and seeing someone else feels like something we'd put in one of our horror novels.
BTW, he was never an ugly guy. He always got hit on, is popular among his friends, etc. I think it's just insecurity. And I really hope this is the last of it.
What! They removed that game before I got to play it? Now my whole day is ruined! Seriously I confess I am rather disgusted with itunes that they even carried it. If the producer puts it out into free source, as many of those type of games are, well then, that is up to the public. But, on itunes? This game is so offensive I'd go well past a list of 10 reasons how. Now Cheryl, isn't that list of ten with empty spaces sort of suggesting that aging after 55 means there are NO positives to aging? Hum? I know, it is only about the body. But when we focus ONLY on the body, that is a distraction. Focusing on the 'fun and the beautiful' about the body at ANY age is ,after all, the whole irritation with that game. Why so much focus on the outward, at any age. I too exercise, keep myself 'decently' attired and the like,but this obsessive focus on the outward is not helpful at any age. Even very few of the young meet the media criteria for being 'beautiful', hence the promo of cosmetics and plastic surgery to even the young ( and this game as well) .It is not only the old(er) who are affected by the idea that Outward Beauty is what matters most. It is every age,especially for females. Gosh, how many of us over 55 were beautiful at 25? Okay, only you Cheryl. Lol. Oh, could you enlighten me why one of your tags is "Balls? As for your lollipop- really? Your oral surgeon actually gives out lollipops to kids? Guess he/she is looking for more business! when my young son had to have several teeth sealed for protection, I gifted him micro machines after ever visit. He still remembers that , and he was only 4. He still has them all. So, what special 'prize' shall I send your way to replace your missing 'treat'? Or, hey, did your tooth fairy for older folks already deliver it ?!
"It turns out that that this app was geared for girls NINE years old and older to "fix" the unattractive girl and make her more Barbie like. According to the games intro, it says "This unfortunate girl has so much extra weight that no diet can help her. Will you operate, Doctor?" Then the player gets to inject her with anesthetic, make incisions with a scalpel, and suck the excess fat from her body with what appears to be a bicycle pump."
SHUT THE FUCK UP! NO WAY. NO HOW. THIS IS CRAZY!!
Good thing iTunes yanked that ridiculous app. I am seriously disturbed.
*****
"I feel a pinch of hypocrisy every time a commercial comes on that talks about anti-aging products while the model who is smearing the miracle product on her face is still in her 30s." Yes, totally. Please use AGE APPROPRIATE models, fer fuck sake.
*****
I am cringing for you - I hate, hate, hate, HATE, hate, hate going to the dentist - even for a cleaning - let alone getting a wisdom tooth yanked. *shudder*
I agree that those that continually have procedures to the point of looking fake have inadvertently drawn attention to their age...not away from it. Most of it is the polar opposite of subtle.
That was part of what surprised me as well. The game was just so inappropriate...how did it ever make it to the point of being on ITunes.
I am "up to my eyeballs" in the constant promotion of the "overly thin, big lipped, youth oriented propaganda that comes out of Hollywood.
I find so much of the junk found on the Internet is gobbled up as fun instead of recognizing it for what it is....stupid. As far as this particular app went...I would of hoped that parents would of been watching and making sure their daughters didn't download it. Just a horrible message for little girls.
I find that interesting that your BIL had work done but nothing was so wrong that it impacted his life...right???? I hope he likes the results. I always worry that someone goes in wanting just to look rested but ends up looking like Kenny Rogers.
I would say that when I was younger there were several things that I was less than thrilled about but not a big enough deal to pay a surgeon to fix. I would like a little more of a pronounced chin for example.
Now that I am aging into a society that considers age a bad thing...I don't know if I will consider procedures in the future. I won't be going all Joan Rivers but I won't say I won't ever get a nip or a tuck. Time will tell.
I would of liked to have spotted that horrid game before it was yanked because I would of liked to see how many downloads had been attributed to it. I am shocked it was ever accepted onto any public site for downloading. Tacky, very tacky.
I think there are a number of positive things about aging but I am not finding body changes that could be called awesome or fun. What is worse, is that those "less than fun" changes are considered so abhorrent by the masses. This is where I am conflicted. My workout partner had her eyes done. She looks her age but not tired like her previous eyes made her look. Another friend had a mini-facelift. She looks the same but a subtle change that is attractive. I am not saying that I think people should try to look younger than their years or that every person should resort to plastic surgery ... but I am open to the idea that if something isn't aging well or is causing problems...there isn't shame in wanting to correct it either.
I agree, whole heartedly that we should focus on the person, not the package that the person resides in but there has to be some middle ground. I do wish that people would take better care of themselves because the general health of our population is taxing the healthcare system. It seems to be a tug of war between aging and aging well. BUT again the very act of aging shouldn't carry a negative connotation.
But here we are only talking of the exterior. I think how we age from an emotional, intellectual, psychological point of view is a totally different conversation. Though, the two things are connected. I have to think that a healthy body, that you are somewhat pleased with would add to a sense of contentment or a more positive attitude toward life.
Balls the monkey is Camphor ( anagram for Crusader Against Media Posturing and Human Overreaction & Rumors) Girls side kick because Camphor doesn't usually appear without balls. As Camphor is actually Moth Balls...I felt she needed the balls part to be her sidekick.
No, I think all dentists quit giving lollipops years ago but they would of still been giving them out back when my last tooth came out. Now I do actually get a pack with a tooth brush, toothpaste, and floss after my checkups. I didn't get anything from the oral surgeon other than a bill.
So far there is no treat that has come my way due to the losing a tooth. I can't eat solids for 3 days so my protein shakes are somewhat of a treat. I am feeling much better today than yesterday. It's been a very nice day, in fact, getting caught up on blog reading.
That was the craziest app I have ever heard of. I haven't had time but the articles say that Corina Rodriquez has other games available. I would be curious if any of the others have some type of derogatory premise.
I agree, use someone that might actually have a wrinkle when touting a creme to remove wrinkles but maybe there aren't celebrities left that don't look natural because of all the cosmetic surgery. It's crazy what is considered old. The other day, on the Olympics the announcer kept going on about Julia Mancuso's being "older" and keeping up with her team. She is 29 for god sake's. That may be older than other skiers but that is far from old.
I am glad the tooth is out and I have that over with. I am not a big fan of dental work and consider it a good year when I just have to get my two check ups and nothing more. Dentist just insist on having wisdom teeth removed it seems.
That game is the most fucked up thing since Barbie herself. As for turning 60, when it happened to me, I too declared it the new 40. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Again, love your drawings. You deserve your own comic strip. Move over Doonesbury.
"but maybe there aren't celebrities left that don't look natural because of all the cosmetic surgery" -- TRUTH!
And I'm glad the dentist wasn't too traumatic!
I couldn't agree with you more. That is the most abhorrent game I have ever heard about.
I would like to say that as well ....but since I crossed over into 60 but there are a few things that aren't cooperating with me to retain their 40ish appearance. It's going to be hard for me to pull off 40.
Thank you for your kind words. I think doing a comic strip must be great fun but I don't know how serial comic strip artists keep it fresh and funny. You are very, very sweet to say think it though.
Whoa. So first of all - I wish I could be half as clever as you are, even without painkillers!
My God. I can't fucking believe that. Seriously? Who in their right mind OK'd THAT ONE to go out the door?
I would like to know how long a "Bill's penis isn't big enough, let's give him surgery for a new one" game would last!
I had my wisdom teeth out about two years ago. You will laugh, but my periodontist says I have "tiny mouth" and she doesn't know how I ever had room for them.
Aren't you the sweet one to start my day with a compliment.
Yeah, isn't that the most screwed up concept EVAH for a child's game. No wonder children grow up with self esteem issues when people promote that type of thinking.
That is an interesting question...what if that game was aimed at penis enhancing? Would it of gotten the same scrutiny? For what ever reason it seems that men often become (unfairly) the butt of jokes and it seems to be more tolerated. BUT I suspect it would of never made it past the censors over at Itunes, Correct names being used for genitalia seem to make censors nervous. They would of had to call it Fix Dix to make it a game.
I am not laughing at all that you have a tiny mouth. While the surgeon didn't say my mouth was small (Really...who would?) He did say my teeth were small. I told him had he told me my thighs were small I would of gotten out of the chair and hugged him.
Hi Shae, It's so nice to see a new name here. Welcome!!! I was, also, shocked when I read the story in the Kansas City Star saying the game had been removed from Itunes. I can't believe it was ever put on there for downloads.
Society has a weird way of moving back and forth between what is deemed acceptable and/or unacceptable behavior. It's like a pendulum. I am all for being open minded but somehow the pendulum has gone way too far into an area of too permissive, too crass, too disturbing...and way too far in regards to putting emphasis on looks and fashion. Where did good ole fashion values and common sense go ?.....especially in regards to young children. ***sigh*** Am I sounding like an old fogey here aren't I ?
That app is disgusting. If Oprah were 30, I could technically be her grandma, and that is NOT a nice thought. If only our society weren't so fascinated by age and youth.
Be well, Cheryl.
xoRobyn
Well if you adore my comments you may also adore my own blog posts from this week, from getting to decide what book cover I shall use for my next novel, to being over celebrity tit and crotch shots, and talking about the return of The Walking Dead. Yes, I'm crying out for more comments from my followers, how sad am I?
I do, in fact adore your blog and just realized that your last three posts didn't feed into my feed reader. I re-entered your URL and will keep an eye on things. I am on my way over to get caught up.
I don't blame you in the slightest in wanting more comments. I am a comment whore. When others say they blog for the sheer joy of writing...I admire it but I also need some interaction. So you are not sad at all.
P.S. Don't lose all respect for me but I have never seen The Walking Dead so if you have a post over at your place...I got nothin' ...
And I would be her great grandma...well OK that's a push but I might be her great aunt or some other relative with my hand out.
I agree with you. Society today tends to obsess over youth and beauty. I wouldn't have as much of a problem with people admiring young and beautiful if it weren't at the exclusion of everyone that doesn't measure up. When did we become so judgemental? I can think that Jennifer Lopez is pretty but that shouldn't automatically make any average woman to be considerered less than pretty because she doesn't measure up. And those women shouldn't feel the need to try to reinvent themselves to look like Jennifer. (Of course, I am just using Jennifer for the sake of my example.)
That game makes me want to punch Corinna Rodriquez in the face then pump her full of Twinkies!
Wow that game is so disgusting and thank goodness its been pulled. I found myself nodding to everything in your post. I am very sensitive to isms myself lately. Old age is creeping too quickly for my liking.
I really would have loved to see the Awards given I know who Paul McCartney is. I tried Twitter for a while and couldn't get into it. Mind you I like reading other people's tweets. I would have loved to see Carol King. Hers was my first album ever. And it is still as good today as it was then.
You are my kind of person. I have one of those mouths too...
You're being too kind. The Twinkies would take away the sting. I am fairly sure Twinkies have magical qualities.
Yeah, Lilly...You and me both. It's getting harder to ignore some of the "isms" as I am aging. Time is moving too fast in many ways. Plus it feels like our culture is making aging taboo.
I would say that I also don't get into Twitter much. Short of "events" that are playing out on Twitter...seems a bit of a waste of time.
Carol King's performance on the Grammy was amazing. AND she looks amazing!! http://youtu.be/5hW2SM3LT0k
oh my dear girl, you make me think.... great post
Thank you, Bev. Yes, it's a minefield out there with all the judgments, opinions and such being thrown about. Sexism and ageism seem to be rampant.
33 couples... yeah, not how I'd want to remember my wedding day, but ok...
Tweeting.. I have an account, but I don't use it. I'm on FB, dropped the account for a while and had all sorts of relatives go nuts because they weren't getting updates on my son. So, I'm back on FB. But my blog - that's what I like the most :)
EWWWWWWWWW to that app - that's just GROSS. OMG.....
and yes, I agree with you about the age defining EXPENSIVE crud that they market with young actors. Lovely...
I agree...more so because it is geared for kids. What is wrong with people?
I guess they want pretty people in their ads but it is hard to take seriously when they talk about a product to minimize wrinkles when the person in the commercial is 30ish.
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