Response to “Cutting Desire”

 It would be incredibly difficult to image having to live your life without an arm or a leg. Basic tasks become complicated and exhaustive. Not only does it impact an individual on the physical level, but the social implications and how a physically disabled is viewed in our culture is not to be underestimated as well. For many, losing an appendage would be a worst nightmare. But for some, it is their very dream. Although it is hard to understand why, a small and growing collection of people, organized through online forums and social networks, a condition known as BIID or “body integrity identity disorder” is slowly gaining attention in society. People who have BIID all suffer from a common trait. They see some aspect of their physical self that they want removed.

Neurologist McGeoch at the center at the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University of California best summarizes this alleged disorder. According to McGeoch, suffers of BIID tend to have a disability in brain function, specifically the right frontal lobe. This lobe is responsible for the cognitive mapping of our physical bodies. Such a disability could make a specific section of our our body, such as an arm or a leg, feel abstract or as McGeoch states as surplus. This urge is strong enough for many to take extreme acts of what some may call self mutilation to resolve these deep and psychological feelings.

The entire premise of BIID can be quite disturbing and is almost certainly not accepted in today's society. With almost certainty, advocacy groups for the physically disabled would take serious issue with BIID. Being an amputee from war for example yields certain inabilities and unfortunately causes add stress on someones life. For example, the Coalition for Iraq + Afghanistan Veterans would almost certainly argue that a missing limb would be a legitimate disorder whereas claiming the need and desire to remove a perfectly healthy limb as a disorder would only cure one supposed disorder to be replaced with a far more serious one.

BIID is also controversial because it brings to light and challenges commonly accepted medical ethics. For a surgeon to proceed in a surgery, there must be a valid and reasonable point as to why such a procedure is to be undergone. In an instance where an individual with a perfectly healthy limb is asking to have it surgically removed certainly flies in the face of these ethics. There is however an argument that if a amputation is to be done on someone who suffers BIID, it would be relatively safer and ensure the life of the patient to a greater effect than risk for that individual to pursue methods of amputation independently.

Although this argument is generally not accepted in society today, it does hold one valid point. The urges of BIID are truly deep and profound. One such example comes to mind that truly illustrates this notion. In the case of Josh, who was so tormented by his arm, would drive aimlessly around with his arm outside the window hoping a to be sideswiped. To no avail, yet determined to have his arm removed, resorted to self surgery. Such ideas are truly graphic and the makings of a horror film. It could be accepted that BIID is a legitimate disorder, however such a person diagnosed would most certainly conclude that the only cure to this disorder would be amputation alone.

Appearances: How Looking in Control is Out of Control

It seems that we always want complete control over ourselves. Free to make choices from outside influences and having the freedom to form ourselves as we see fit. The more control we have, the more powerful we all feel as individuals. How do we seek control? It can be attained in many different avenues, what we wear, what we eat, and how we exercise are only a few simple examples. It does in fact seem that we base much of our individual control around how we treat, and present our bodies. After all, if we don't have control bodies, how can we begin to control anything else? Well, according to Susan Bordo, in her article “Never Just Pictures: Bodies and Fantasies”, we may not have as much control over ourselves and our bodies as we may like to think. In truth, our decisions, conscious or subconscious, are strongly influenced by the world around us. In today's modern era, modern media is constantly bombarding our psyche. These advertisements have a direct relationship on our body image and yields a strong relationship the image of a thin body and self control.

There is most certainly an ideal in body image in advertising. To such an effect that Bordo describes as a “normalizing” factor. This is best illustrated in how ads continually present the most ideal form for both men and women. These images become so imprinted, abundant, and universal that it effects people across the entire diversity scope. This idealistic image is perpetually focused around the thought of incredibly thin and gaunt models for advertising including, but not limited to clothing, make-up, perfume, and sports ads. In turn, to further reinforce this image, fat stands as the polarizing opposite to this ideal. An entity unwanted and even claimed to be evil. Fat represents failure where protruding bones emphasize success and control over ones self. This too is reinforced by media and commercials. This shift in bodily ideal can most likely be claimed to have started in the mid 1990's. When during the 1996 Summer Olympic games “..were reported with unprecedented focus and hype on the fat-free beauty and muscular bodies...” (Bordo 137). Naturally, people react to these impulses. Society seems to have a tendency to idolize and look up to the images of media. People wish to recreate these images onto themselves and show that they are indeed in control of their bodies and not fat, a sign of inherent failure.

Such a mentality is volatile and will almost certainly lead to truly unhealthy actions. This is most commonly manifested as eating disorders. According to these body images, the more thin we become, we in turn feel more in control with ourselves. Bordo illustrates how this is caused in our society. Western culture exists in a paradox and according to Bordo, “The emergences of eating disorders is a complex, multi-layered cultural 'symptom'.” What Bordo means by this is that we live under many social pressures that almost seemingly forces us to eat less, or at the very least take notice or concern to our own personal body in regards to fat. The forces reside as the idealization of certain body forms that “...perpetuates our anxieties and insecurities.” but at the same time, these images symbolize “fantasized solutions to these anxieties...” (Bordo 138) In essence, these body images feed into our very desire for self control. They are presented in such a manner that the only way to attain the image of control inevitably falls into an out of control spiral manifested as an eating disorder.

Phoenix Jones: A Super Joe, or a Suped-up Schmo

 The term “super hero” often evokes many different emotions and reactions to an individual. The luster of skin tight suits followed by masculine one-liner mottos, and brave, almost seemingly larger than life characters always fighting for the common citizen following ethical codes, morals, and defending justice. Super hero can mean a lot, they exist from a very early age in our lives and often present the image of a good role model and someone we should aspire to be like. In fact, I'm sure we've all, at some point or another wished we could be a super hero ourselves. Yet, as we all inevitably grow up, we soon come to realize that a super hero by this definition only exists in the realms of fiction. Not escaping past the comic books, theaters, and our imaginations. However, a dedicated group of people who call themselves the Real Life Super Heros are making us rethink whether a super hero really is just a fantasy. Jon Ronson, editor for GQ.com follows the pursuit of a masked man that goes by Phoenix Jones which he recounts in his article “It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's.. Some Dude?!” and shadows him through his routine as a “real life super hero”. Throughout Ronson's experience, he brings into question if Jones truly is a super hero, if his actions are truly moral, and how Phoenix Jones symbolizes the Americanism of justice.

A quick image search or a brief description of Phoenix Jones physical appearance certainly leads one to believe he is a super hero. With his hard suit, mask, and various duds he wears in his crime fighting attire, Jones certainly looks the part of a super hero. However, appearance aren't everything. In order to be a superhero, it is quick to ration that one must posses some super, or above human qualities. Superman has incredible strength along with the ability to fly and Spiderman can climb walls and shoot webs. Phoenix Jones along with the rest of the RLSH most certainly don't have any of these gene mutations or physics altering powers. In fact, I'm sure none of them have even had any gamma radiation exposure beyond normal x-rays. However, both Batman and the Ironman are considered superheros by common definition and yet they do not posses any “super powers”. They are victims of terrible circumstance and use the resources they have to try and fix the world in which they live in. Perhaps this is the kind of superhero that Phoenix Jones is... Not in terms of superman, but rather in relation to the Batman.

Phoenix Jones started his fight against crime after having his car smashed in and wanted to be that “somebody who would stand up”. He takes to the street doing whatever he can to help out and be the superhero he sees himself as. His work includes anything from helping an old lady by holding an umbrella, to stopping fights. He intervenes whenever he can. He certainly sounds like a super hero, but still the question is brought up if his actions are morally right. It is certain that Phoenix Jones certainly means well, but it is not so convincing that he is always in the moral right. Jones' notorious “Taco Incident” is a prime example of how and good well and helping situation can go south and leave both parties in a worse state than what began.

The other issue is that Phoenix Jones and the rest of the RLSH lack the level of symbolism. Batman is far more than just a character, he is apart of our culture and society. He is in someways super not necessarily because of his fictional accomplishments, but because his identity is in apart of all of us as a community. The same goes for any DC Universe or Marvel Super Hero. Phoenix Jones and the rest of the RLSH certainly lack this level of national fame. Some people will naturally just discount Phoenix Jones as a crazy man, but some may also see him as an inspiration in some respects. Although he may not be a superhero, he is one reaching for it. Those who want to make the best of who they are always reach for the impossible. Phoenix Jones is just than man, a regular schmo, with super intentions.

My Worldly Reaction to Transcending Body-Building

 I have always considered the world of bodybuilding to be just that, a world of its very own. However, after looking deeper into this domain, I believe that I am slowly coming to the realization that the reason why people body build is a very worldly and transcending experience. Bodybuilders such as Roxanne Edwards live in the very same world we do, they have their worries, fears, expectations, hopes and desires just like anyone else. However, much like Roxanne's case, they are extenuated through her body, the act of building muscle and working out. It is often their appearance that makes the so called “normal people” in our culture to misinterpret and fail to understand the person behind the physic.

Before listening to Roxanne's interview with DIS Magazine, I found myself quite captivated by her photo gallery online. Alarmed may be more akin to my initial reaction. Roxanne's body image presents a very different appearance to what society regards to be the normal image Roxanne takes this ideal of what a female is expected to be and flips it entirely on it's head. I found this to be exceptionally true in a snapshot of Roxanne's almost entirely exposed back. In this picture her face is hidden and we have no choice but to focus on her body. Such an image of a female would generally suggest a model posing for beauty and sex appeal, however, Roxanne's muscular build and tone bleeds into the physical ideal of the man in society. We, in turn, become confused by this image. The expectation of female subtleties is somehow meshed into the hard physic and likeness to male "machosim".

It was not until the conclusion of the interview that I truly understood the meaning behind that exposing picture of Roxanne Edwards. Roxanne is presenting herself as she wants to be seen. It is her image of how she feels on her inside that has been worked, and laboriously formed through hard work and training. In Roxanne's words, “What made me start working out is I wanted to look good naked.” She wanted to be comfortable with how she looked, essentially having her physical self and mental self in sync. Although Roxanne is seemingly quite happy with her personal appearance, it is not without hardship. Much of her tribulations and her personal feelings on many aspects of today's society is outlined throughout the interview. Speaking as broadly as her workout Regimen to her very specific and calculated approach to vitamins, and supplements and other various compounds used in her diet.

What I found most intriguing is how Roxanne responded to a specific question asked to her during her interview. The interviewer asks if Roxanne feels more “superhuman” especially in the context of other females that do not work out. Roxanne's response is simple. She is “Not superhuman, but a more open human.” That her decisions and revelations that she has made through the course of her body building career has allowed her to “...view the world from a different vantage point.” I feel that this reaction from Roxanne has something to share with Arnold Schwarzenegger's brief interview in the video segment of “Pumping Iron”. Arnold explains how it is those who push that extra rep and the ones who always goes past the threshold and have a strength of mind greater than their bodies are the ones who will succeed in bodybuilding. It is those people who have a vision in their mind to work and do whatever it takes to attain it, much like Roxanne's vision of her own body. Body building is much more than just working out beyond the norm. It is truly a transcending and all consuming experience that meshes the internal view of and individual with their physical hard selves.