The formal writing that we are forced to partake in during our academic careers entails a taught structured prose that we learn through imitation. It is a standard way to learn to express oneself through writing that is accepted in the academic world. It teaches us to communicate in an effective manner. A manner in which has been established by academics before us. We learn how to do it by reading other academic prose, essays and arguments written by academics that make an argument about a particular topic. As students, we then imitate the methodology others have used to make an argument. Whether it is a research paper, a descriptive paper or an argumentative paper, the way we write and present them to our audience are the same. We begin using this type of writing in school as soon as we begin to write essays in the 4th grade, and continue to write this way through our college years in which prepare us for the professional world. Even in the professional world, we are expected to communicate in a professional manner, which I believe is modeled after the academic writing we learn.
Generally, besides in our college classrooms, we express ourselves and communicate everyday through non-written acts. Everything we do to modify ourselves is making an argument about who we are or want people to think about ourselves. How we dress, do our hair, accesorize and do our makeup make a statement. It fits us into a certain group which we identify with. Working out and staying fit makes an argument to others that we are healthy. Even daily hygenic acts, like we discussed, communicates that we care about our bodies or don't, like shaving. We also communicate who we are by what we do. All careers, jobs and hobbies have a stereotypical person which fits into each of these. A lawyer is thought to be very different than a teacher, or from a model, so on and so on. Someone who rock climbs is a certain person and someone who sews is a different person. Also, art, in all forms, is an act of expression. Painting, sculpture, music, acting, dancing, photography, and many more are different acts we use to express ourselves through. In this way, especially, we take authorship and control.
However, whatever way in which you express yourself or make an argument through, there is a limit to how you can do it. A person can only do so much to themselves. Body modifciation can only go so far until it becomes harmful. Body modification can only break the norm so long until it becomes so popular that it is the normal trend. As Pitts argues, no matter what you do and the meaning that it has to you or you are trying to portray, it is limited by societies interpretation. It is intersubjective, she says, meaning you do not ever have complete control because it will be washed out by society. I agree with this argument. There will always be a limit to everything you do as long as you live within society and if you chose to live outside society than you are not making an argument to anyone.
1 comment:
For some reason, whenever I think of body modifications, I automatically speak of tattoos, piercings, scarification, plastic surgery and other drastic body modifications. I like how you put society in perspective. Everyone takes part in a form of body modifications, even those who say they rolled out of bed, did not literally roll out of bed! I drew the same conclusion as you about how each body modification is associated with a stereotype. In my experience, I give stereotypes a negative connotation, so I did not think of simple stereotypes that come from hobbies and occupations. I really enjoyed reading your blog because you did not separate society, instead you grouped us all as body modifiers. I strongly agree that the limits we face are based on the time period of society. A tattoo that our grandparents have may not mean anything to us, but means the world to people their age. That's the aspect of body modification that scars me, it is so permanent, yet it is commonly misinterpreted.
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