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.