superficiality: a human default

I’m watching an old J-horror show right now, it’s a B-movie so it’s not that well-known. Overall, it’s about the ill-effects of plastic surgery. The story-line’s very predictable but it got me thinking, and therefore the urge to write this blog.

We live in a superficial, beauty-obsessed society. Or rather, humans are engineered to be superficial by default. That is why, when we meet someone, usually our very first impression will not be “he/she’s a nice person” or “he/she has a great heart”. Rather, we would be commenting about their looks, actions or the way they dress. Stuff like “hey look he’s so fat”, “why is she sitting with her legs spread so openly? that’s uncouth!” or “omg is she wearing an umbrella?”.

But think about it, we spend all our time obsessing over beauty and the likes, but sometimes is it really worth it? Some of us lose so much fat, sometimes fat that doesn’t even exist. Some of us go to the gym six or seven times a week, even if we injure ourself from gym-related injuries and told to rest, we still gym. Some of us starve ourself to serious malnutrition or even death by going on unorthodox diets. Some of us spend thousands on diet pills and harm our liver and kidneys. Some of us spend tens of thousands on liposuction and plastic surgery. All these to, while the story is pretty lame now, for the millions of girls out there, to get the face and body of Snow White and for the millions of guys out there, the face and body of Prince Charming.

And mostly, we would want to do that because we want to attract people of the opposite sex (or the same sex if you’re homosexual). And yes, we would most probably attract all the hot guys and girls, and get into relationships with them. But if these people are just as superficial, what are the odds of finding true love? Probably the same people would want to parade you as their “trophy catch” or just use you for sex. Some people just get trapped in this cycle over and over again because their relationship just seems to be on the surface and has no “depth”.

And when we’re aging and in our 70s, our muscles will sag, and our hot bodies will no longer be hot. And what would remain after years of hard work, pain, blood, sweat and endurance? Just memories?

We got to love ourselves more and not always try to meet what society expects of ourselves. The world does not need more people who fall to the expectations set out by mass media. The world does not need clones! The world needs individuals to make this world a better place, and not even more close-minded as it is getting now.

But don’t get me wrong! I’m not proud of the fact that my BMI is not in the healthy weight range. In fact, I am all for losing weight to become in the healthy weight range because being overweight has severe health risks. I’m okay with working out. However, what I am referring to is the people who are over-obsessed with getting a great body to the extent they would do anything and fork out any amount just to look good. And at the same time, ignore the dire consequences of their actions.

By the way, please do not ask me whether this article is directed towards you. Please read and reflect on it. If you think it is for you, then it is for you. (: