Art, Science + Technology
DMA9 Fall 2007, Section BArchive for November 11, 2007
Plastic Surgery, does it make one truly beautiful?
Throughout the history of time people (women in particular) have been trying to get “the perfect body.” During some times, pale was beautiful; in others, if one was fat he was thought to be wealthy. Today, women and men have plastic surgery and other procedures done to become skinny, get rid of wrinkles, and look younger longer. Although a woman’s looks catch your eye right away, true beauty lies on the inside. Plastic surgeons exploit peoples insecurities about themselves and make a lot of money. In the movie we were shown in class a women has her skin pinned back and taped to look “20 years younger.” I agree with Professor Vesna, women who have this much work done don’t look any younger, they look like 50 years olds who just got a lot of work done.
Is plastic surgery a form of art?
I do not look at people who get plastic surgery done as art. Although I believe that if it is used in the right manner one can make there body a piece of art using plastic surgery. One could add different features to themselves or change characteristics to make a statement. The body is a work of art, and plastic surgery can be considered a technique to enhance beauty if used in the proper ways.
When have people gone too far?
In today’s society people take plastic surgery too far. On Monday we discussed a woman who used plastic surgery to become cat-like. This is one example of taking plastic surgery way too far.
Also, Michael Jackson took cosmetics too far when he changed his skin color. In class we discussed what an impact he could have made if he was not labeled as being “crazy.” I believe that Michael Jackson was a brilliant man and changed his skin color to bring attention to himself. He was marketing himself to the public and because of his changes, he became more famous and even more influential.
Plastic surgery can be used in many ways. Make sure to use it wisely!
Brilliant marketing or wacko?
Week 6- The Human Body and Medical Technology
Plastination: art and science or shocking and horrific?
Through the process of plastination, the water and fat in the body are replaced by certain types of plastics, thus preserving the body. Plastination was made popular with Dr. Gunther von Hagens with his exhibition “Body Worlds.” The exhibition is a collection of various human bodies and animals that have undergone plastination. The display shows a variety of different parts of the human body from organs to muscles to veins to embryos. Basically, the display allows the audience to see the inner structure of the entire human body in various stages of development.
The “Body Worlds” exhibit has created quite a bit of controversy in many different ways. Many people have been offended by the public display of the human corpses, especially different religious groups. In addition, there has been skepticism as to whether or not the bodies that are used by Dr. von Hagens have been legally obtained, meaning that Dr. von Hagens may not have acquired consent to use the bodies for plastination. Furthermore, there is speculation that some of the bodies may have come from prisons and hospitals, which brings up many ethical concerns.
I have actually had the opportunity to see the “Body Worlds” exhibit when it was at the California Science Center a few years ago. It was definitely an interesting experience. I thought it would be a little horrific to see the inside of the human body, but it was not as bad as I believed. There is no smell or rotting or anything like that. The bodies are basically the same as any other statue, except that they are made from human and animal corpses. I could see how people could easily be offended by the exhibit, for it does do things to the body that are far from natural. But I feel that there are always people that are going to get offended no matter what someone does. There are going to be people that love it and there are going to be people that hate it. But that is what art does; it creates controversy and forces people to look at things in a different way.
I found the exhibit to be actually very interesting. It was amazing to be able to see basically through the skin of the human body and discover the inner workings. What I particularly enjoyed was the different positions and actions that the bodies were placed in. For example, there was one of a man playing basketball. This was particularly enjoyable for me because I play basketball and am a big basketball fan. Another piece that caught my attention was the one involving a horse and a man riding it. I do not remember the full details of it (for it has been a while) but I remember being blown away by the presentation of the piece. I would recommend that others go and see the show, but I can understand if they are not comfortable doing so.
What is electric shock treatment? Why do we use it? Should we still use it?
Electric shock treatment (also known as electroconvulsive therapy) is a very controversial psychiatric treatment method that is commonly used to treat people with severe forms of depression. In electric shock treatment, electrodes are placed one on either side of the patients head. Then, the electricity is turned on, causing a seizure to be induced in the patient. The effect is supposed to be therapeutic, but being electrocuted does not sound very therapeutic, to me at least. And no one really knows how the electric shock therapy actually works or what it does to the person to help cure them. Nevertheless, about 100,000 people in the US alone annually undergo electric shock treatment. The Surgeon General reports that electric shock treatment has been effective in about 60 to 70% of the patients that suffer from severe depression and some other psychotic states. However, electric shock treatment has been the most effective in treating people with severe depression and improving their quality of live (both long and short term).
Besides being given a seizure, the only other main side effects are confusion (usually short term) and memory loss. But, considering that scientists and doctors do not even really know how electric shock treatment works, I am a little skeptical as to whether or not there are other health problems. Many mental health institutions have concluded that the treatment does not cause brain damage, but that does not mean that other parts of the body or person is not affected. To me, it just does not seem right to shock people, especially people that are not mentally stable. I do not have a problem with it if people are voluntarily willing to undergo it, but I do not think that I would want to have it done to me. It seems more of a form of torture than a form of therapy.
Links:
http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastination
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18679776/#storyContinued
