The Empire of Images in Our World of Bodies

Susan Bordo’s essay employs ideas and details from a large spectrum of topics underlining body types through media on television and in print, surgery, clothing sales, and even a mention of toys. I particularly like her views on cosmetic surgery and Botox. She begins with questioning when the phrase ‘aging beautifully’ stopped meaning that the older you were the more you wore their years with pride and began to mean practically growing younger. Measurements of this beauty are now based on the amount of face-lifts, liposuction, and augmentations performed. She calls this trend to surgery as a transition from materiality to cultural plastic. The brief story of Greta Van Susteren is an example of Bordo’s dislike for the modern cosmetic society. Greta, a talented reported though average looking, had a facelift after years of being in the public’s eye. To Bordo this is another source of inspiration and hope biting the dust. The strive to perfection in body image is not applicable in the human form. Perfection can be achieved in the timeless beauty of art but not in the individual person.The essay continues with a humorous section on the popularity of botox. They advertise for signing up for Botox parties and push the product as a cosmetic much like blush or mascara. She includes a Times quote speaking these peoples inabilities to make normal expressions. I agree with Bordo in her views that these ploys for aesthetic youngness are unnatural and counterproductive in society.