おまえは、空から落ちた
ひとつぶの 星のかけらだった…
You were a star fragment, that fell from the sky...
- Radical Dreamers, Le Trésor Interdit
There are many pretty girls in the world, but a beautiful woman is the rarest of treasures.
...a response to this post
translation of the japanese text by utunnel at the Chrono Compendium
- Radical Dreamers, Le Trésor Interdit
There are many pretty girls in the world, but a beautiful woman is the rarest of treasures.
I used to have the habit - I believe that it has since become greatly diminished - of being very critical of a female's appearance, whose acquaintance I had just made, or even whom I had observed from afar. One possible reason for this, is that I did not want to allow myself to be attracted to one for her looks, because then I would be an animal. I therefore set an unreasonably high standard to be met, in order to protect myself. This is obviously bullshit and I was probably just a shallow kid, whose ideals of beauty were corrupted by the media.
But even if we assume that the aforementioned possible reason was my plan- it carried with it the fatal flaw of blinding me to the ugliness of certain good-looking girls. If I could not find anything on the surface which displeased me, I then had no choice but to be an animal and become infatuated. This infatuation led to the expectation- or rather the hope that this person actually be beautiful.
This is of course a fallacy.
A truly beautiful woman can have a crooked nose, and has no need of large breasts. She has something, as Bianca said, that no one else has ( and therefore not easily described with a word like "confidence" or "intellect" ) . Something that amazes and astounds, that takes one's breath away. It would seem that many girls do not have this. These give sufficient attention to their appearance, and yet, I could almost swear, some of them have the same personality... speak the same, think the same... it is an emptiness that is terrifically abominable- one that horrifies.
I cannot pretend to be so pure-hearted that looks don't matter to me at all. But now, when I meet a female personage or observe one - just out of curiousity, not because I'm looking around for a girlfriend - I do not look for shallow reasons to find her unattractive. On the contrary, I often think "She has something. Maybe not something for me, but she has something". I like being able to see that, even if for just a moment.
But even if we assume that the aforementioned possible reason was my plan- it carried with it the fatal flaw of blinding me to the ugliness of certain good-looking girls. If I could not find anything on the surface which displeased me, I then had no choice but to be an animal and become infatuated. This infatuation led to the expectation- or rather the hope that this person actually be beautiful.
This is of course a fallacy.
A truly beautiful woman can have a crooked nose, and has no need of large breasts. She has something, as Bianca said, that no one else has ( and therefore not easily described with a word like "confidence" or "intellect" ) . Something that amazes and astounds, that takes one's breath away. It would seem that many girls do not have this. These give sufficient attention to their appearance, and yet, I could almost swear, some of them have the same personality... speak the same, think the same... it is an emptiness that is terrifically abominable- one that horrifies.
I cannot pretend to be so pure-hearted that looks don't matter to me at all. But now, when I meet a female personage or observe one - just out of curiousity, not because I'm looking around for a girlfriend - I do not look for shallow reasons to find her unattractive. On the contrary, I often think "She has something. Maybe not something for me, but she has something". I like being able to see that, even if for just a moment.
...a response to this post
translation of the japanese text by utunnel at the Chrono Compendium
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I'm happy you wrote this. In sociology, we discussed the media's narrow view of beauty, so it has been on my mind a lot lately. Part of a conflict theory we discussed categorized this obsession with beauty as a means of gender stratification(woah, big word) that keeps women occupied with their looks, instead of conquering the world. I'm not a feminist, or a conflict theorist, but the lesson made me want to evaluate where I place my value and confidence. I'm not quite sure what I am trying to say, other than "I think it's important to consider these things."
AntwortenLöschenI doubt there is a secret organization of men who meet to discuss how they can prevent women from becoming too powerful- this presentation of feminine "beauty" seems to have been around for a long time and stem largely from male dominated societies in which women were viewed as possessions- and therefore held to more material standards. The aesthetic varies, but the principal remains even if the standing of women has improved in other areas. The media and pop-culture use this to their monatery advantage (selling beauty products to women whom they have made insecure, selling celebrities and pop-stars who have little ability but look good) and have tried to do the same to men, though I don't think they have been very successful in that regard.
AntwortenLöschenIt is important. It's something so obvious, that seemingly everyone should know, but that we each have to discover anew because of the corrupt environment in which we live.
Dear Stephan,
AntwortenLöschenAre you just responding or turning this into controversy? I can't tell. I didn't say I agreed with the conflict theory, I just found it thought provoking. You're intellect is impressive, but you're communication style often makes me feel like I have to defend myself. I'm sure this is not your intention? Maybe you just enjoy conflict, while I tend to avoid it. Anyway, have a good day my friend.
D
Dear Devon,
AntwortenLöschenI fully understood that this was not your theory before I wrote my reply- It is thought-provoking and therefore made me think about other, perhaps more likely reasons for the way things are... and I just felt like sharing. :) It is however fully plausible that my communication style is a bit aggressive, because I have to assert my aesthetic opinion so much in my academic environment. It was nonetheless not my wish to start a conflict with you or attack you in any way. I value our friendship too much!
P.S. ...so please excuse me, and have a nice day as well.
AntwortenLöschen:) ok. It's forgotten then.
AntwortenLöschenp.s. I feel sort of silly for having this whole conversation in your kommentare section. lol.
AntwortenLöschenWell, Devon, you will be relieved and thrilled to learn that being my first regular reader affords you certain privileges, including being able to do whatever you want in the Kommentare section. Which will not bother anyone anyway, as you are also my only regular reader :D
AntwortenLöschenI think that appreciating peoples inner beauty is very important. However, I think physical beauty plays an important role in romantic relationships. I think it is necessary to appreciate your mates physical beauty for the relationship to thrive.
AntwortenLöschenFine, but I find that my perception of physical beauty or my appreciation of a woman's appearance is strongly influenced and changed by my perception of her character.
AntwortenLöschen