flink@umcp-cs.UUCP (Paul Torek) (08/24/84)
Now that the Vanessa Williams scandal has largely died down, a dissenting voice is called for on the subject of being valued for one's body. I would *love* to be valued for my body -- it would be a totally refreshing change of pace. People who get complimented all the time on their looks tend to be annoyed or uncomfortable about it, and understandably so. And they think a person couldn't be failed to be pleased by being told that he's intelligent. Well they're wrong. When I'm told that, I feel like I'm being forced into a Procrustean bed with no room for my emotions or animal needs or plenty of other things that make me human. There will have to be some stretching and a bit of amputation. Other qualities that *I* feel are more important will be disregarded; nor can I interact with others on a non-intellectual basis. I will be pushed into a preconceived mold. (If you want someone to act in a certain way, don't tell them to ACT that way -- tell them they ARE that way.) And if I should think for a moment that play is valuable, "Oh, you have so much *potential*." Let it rot. Better it than me. Pardon the unreasoned flame. No, don't. It's nice and emotional. Anyway, a compliment isn't much of a compliment if the person doesn't *feel* good about it. Most people think that valuing people for their intelligence is inherently better than valuing them for good looks, and that the former acknowledges the person qua herself. Horse manure! There is more to a person than her mind, and nothing wrong with appreciating someone's body; and it is as much a crime to reject the latter dimension as the former. Not thinking straight tonight -- and darned proud of it, --The aspiring iconoclast, Paul Torek, umcp-cs!flink