TRON

Here is the place to ask questions regarding my presentation on the film TRON.

Prompt 12

Violence is often used in media to elicit a strong emotional response, a pathos. Cronenberg uses violence in his film to argue against the use of this particular technology, as violence is closely associated with it. The film becomes increasingly more violent as the film progresses, and, as Videodrome takes hold. Violence makes for a very strong reaction, most of the time negative. In our society, we view violence as generally shocking and ultimately negative because of the displeasure it causes us. Cronenberg uses this natural reaction to persuade the audience to his argument. Another aspect of the violence Cronenberg uses is sexualized violence. By inserting aspects of sexual pleasure, as in the character Nikki, with this violence, the director gives the audience another level to be disturbed. Not only is the physical violence disturbing, but a perverse response to such violence from a character also serves to disturb. The audience is disturbed by Nikki’s reaction, as human beings are supposed to be disturbed by violence, not taking pleasure in it, and certainly not the even more perverse sexual pleasure in it. Since it disrupts the natural order of things in such way, makes a greater impact and it brings the audience’s response to an even deeper level. As for the plot of the movie itself, and using the violence of Videodrome to penetrate the mind, I think it was a fairly logical choice. Violence is already seen as negative, and since it does elicit an emotion response, as compared to more mainstream television programming, one can reason that perhaps it might alter the brain or spinal cord in some way. Those who enjoy violence are often seen as perverse by society today. Thus, those who would be watching Videodrome is their perfect target audience. Overall, the strong negativity associated with violence allowed Cronenburg to communicate his argument effectively.

Prompt 11

The film Tron makes arguments about the body’s relationship to technology by defining the body via interaction with technology. Through the use of the science fiction technology, lasers, cyberspace, and programs, one can find how bodies are represented and used in conjunction with technology, and in this, find out the relationship between the two entities. One example to explore in Tron is how bodies are represented in the virtual world; that is, the ‘world’ created by the interlinking of computers in a particular corporation. Not only is this world having physical space and obeying many laws of physics, but the ‘programs’ that inhabit this space are represented as human beings. These programs look like the people that wrote them, and have their personality, like Tron, who was created by Alan. In the film, the character Tron is played by the same actor that plays the character Alan, who was introduced earlier in the film as saying he created the program Tron. The character Flynn goes as far as to, in the virtual world, notice this similarity and call Tron ‘Alan’. Tron himself recognizes this, too; often referring to his user, Alan, as the one who created him. Through this, the film Tron makes the argument that human beings manifest themselves in their creations, and in this creation of human beings, their own bodies are reflected as such. This negates the power of physical human flesh, as the mere ‘spirit’ of Alan, in writing Tron, gave the program his own physical body as well as personality. The physical body is of lesser importance in Tron, as most of the action occurs in the virtual world, uncontrolled by any outside physical entities. Another example of the physical body lacking in importance is the interaction programs and the ‘real’ user, Flynn, have. While Flynn is revered in the virtual world because he created much of it, he has nearly equal amount of power in the virtual world. His possessing of a human body or human mind gives him no advantages in the virtual world, as the highlighted programs, Tron and Yori, possess the same amount of physical power, ingenuity, and spirit as Flynn does. They interact on an equal plane in the virtual world, almost to the extent that being a human with a physical body makes no difference at all. Through this, physical bodies are seen as less powerful; instead, it is the human spirit, an idea, that triumphs.

Prompt 10

I believe the recurring theme of drugs and addiction is an interesting topic to explore in Gibson’s Neuromancer. There are several instances in which drugs are used in the novel, and each supports arguments and ideas surrounding the topic. In the beginning of the novel, we see Case, addicted to drugs, taking things that are the futuristic equivalent to cocaine and methamphetamines. This indicates his disregard for his physical body, and perhaps his desire to escape from it. This escape may manifest itself in a sort of suicide, Case dying because of his drug addiction. However, this does not come about, as Molly and Armitage find him. Armitage gives him a new pancreas and liver, which as well as keep him alive physically deny him the ability to get high. This gives Case a lack of control over his own body, which he formerly used to choose what sensations it could feel. Instead of break him of the addiction through his mind, Armitage takes a more direct route; instead of empowering Case, it lessens the mental power he has via physical power to get high. Another interesting example of drugs and addiction in Neuromancer is the scene in which Riviera and Case discuss their differing ways to get high. Riviera’s method is theatrical, basic, and painful, using a hypodermic needle. Case simply swallows an ‘octagon’; some form of pill. While both are interested in getting high, Riviera shows that he is interested in the physical sensations, good and bad, of getting high, while Case looks for a painless numbing of his body. This indicates the different perspectives of the characters, and perhaps how they see their bodies; Case continues to show a desire for absolute abandonment of the body.

Prompt 9

In Neuromancer, a lot of different bodies are presented, bodies which are using the futuristic technology to enhance the abilities of their body, obscure the nature of the body, and even leave the body entirely. Out of these, I find the most fascinating to be the character Molly. I find her intriguing because of her use of body as a means to accomplish her goals. The way that she accomplishes this is very fascinating, because it is embracing the human body and using it as a foundation to be improved upon in interesting and innovative ways, as compared to simply being forgone entirely, as in Case’s case. Molly’s modifications make her able to interact with her natural world in new ways, like being able to see in the dark, and use her claws as tools and weapons. As well, Molly used her body (not her mind) as a means of making money, by being a meat puppet. This contrasts with Case further, who uses his mind alone, not his body , as he works as a cowboy. Case and Molly make two vastly different arguments with their bodies. Case rejects the body, while Molly embraces it. Molly enhances her body, while Case works endlessly to escape it. Through the experience of the matrix, Case can leave his body behind. But with Molly’s modifications, she can lift many restrictions the body has through her modifications. She can become more formidable of a fighter with her claws, which are always with her, as well as be able to survive more easily in her environment with her clock read-out and night vision. Her lenses probably also protect her from UV rays, so she gets protection from the elements better than a normal human. In this way, Molly goes beyond the limits of a natural human, but still uses it as an important foundation.

Prompt 8 - Extra Credit

One can express oneself in a variety of ways, including forms like formal writing, as well as different media like body modification. All of these forms of expression serve different purposes, and therein lies why we do them differently. In formal writing, one is expressing oneself in a clear, proper, and respectful manner, so one can be understood and give the impression of being intelligent and informed. This is where the composition comes in; standard composition allows for maximum clarity in formal writing. To allow oneself’ to be understood in this medium is a powerful tool, as writing is such a high-impact medium in today’s society. Things like art could also be translated to writing. Technical drawings like architects do, or drawings for design, are also important in conveying information, and I’d correlate that form of art to formal writing. Another closely related one is film, especially documentary film. When one chooses a medium for expression, the deciding factor of what it is is what is intended to be expressed. More individualistic things lend themselves to more informal methods of expression, while conveying of information palatable to all is best conveyed in a more formal way. Not only the subject is important, but the audience, as well. Who is to perceive this which one wants to express, and how do they relate to author? One could also consider the audience’s relationship to the subject; how it would be best interpreted and understood by them. All parts of the rhetorical triangle are used in determining what media one chooses, and to what degree of formality, if it is a general medium like writing or visual media. It’s important to learn how to do these things, for maximum benefit in society as we know it today.

Prompt 7

The type of body modification that is seen as normative, as in, in an attempt to achieve mainstream society’s ideal of beauty by using body modification to achieve ‘normal’ look, is also subject to Pitt’s argument of radical body modification. Normative and non-normative body modification alike is used in moderation by the mainstream. Most people only get a few tattoos or body piercings, just like most people engage in only mild amounts of normative body modification. On this opposing end of the spectrum, there’s a variety of cosmetic surgeries which I would equivocate to radical body modification. These are much the same in several ways. One, they are painful and pose risk to health, just like radical non-normative body modification. Two, they alter the body from it’s ‘natural’ state dramatically. From collagen to silicone, sucking to sewing, many of these procedures are even more radical as compared to non-normative body modification, in regards to how much the body is altered. The process overall is very similar, simply achieving results striving for a different end. The major difference is that these body modifications are ‘hidden’. People that have been cosmetically altered can often pass as ‘natural’. In that way, it isn’t as subject to taboo as much. However, if one is aware of the extensive cosmetic surgeries another might have gotten, I believe they would be subject to similar scrutiny like that of a non-normative body modifier. Cosmetic surgery is often viewed as extreme vanity; a criticism body modification escapes. But in essence, both types of modification are methods of enhancing a body; similar ends are gained through similar means. Another major difference is that normative body modification seems to end at a very specific standard; there are a vast variety of ways to modify one’s body on the non-normative spectrum; limitless amount of art, piercings wherever one can find a place to put them, vast designs of scarification. However, in normative body modification, one cannot select from a great variety of noses, lips, chins or breasts, because only a few ‘ideals’ are sought after. There’s a good reason why it’s difficult to tell models in magazines apart. While the non-normative body modifier has freedom of expression (to a relatively greater extent), the normative body modifier has conformation to society’s very selective beauty ideal.

Prompt 6

So-called ‘academic prose’ or college writing has been taught to students from elementary all the way into college. It is a formal style of writing, where one does not use vernacular language, but instead uses formal wording and sentence structure. This kind of writing is often composed into paragraphs, each with a main idea. These paragraphs may be then arranged into the five-paragraph essay, which typically includes an introduction with a thesis, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This is taught in English classes , but also is expected in many other school subjects when a paper is to be written. The basis behind this essay is that it allows students to express their ideas clearly and concisely, so the reader can understand them. This kind of writing is practiced so that in real essays the student may produce, and also other expressions of writing, the student may not only be understood, but gain ethos because of the intelligence they are perceived to have. Vernacular language and unclear structure wouldn’t cut it. An interesting question is, what if the student has strength in expressing themselves a different way, but not in writing? While there are many other ways one can express oneself, writing has been a powerful means of communication in our culture and it is expected that we communicate with it with at least a base knowledge of the structure and style expected of us.

As for other means of communication, the possibilities are endless. The way we dress, our posture, or modify our bodies is a means of communication, as well as the body language and of course, human speech. A piece of artwork may be considered a form of communication, depending on how it is perceived by the viewer. But in terms of inscribing meaning on the actual body, that is the realm of body modification. More normative forms of body modification such as painting one’s nails or doing one’s hair may express an attempt at beauty and cleanliness, especially if one does it well. It may indicate an attempt to fit in, attract a mate, or impress. Each act and how one does it asserts something slightly different, and it would be exhausting to cover them all. More extreme and non-normative forms of body modification may express rebellion and nonconformity.

Another thing to think about is the principle of authorship, both in contexts of formal writing and the body. It is the idea of some that one may assert authorship over one’s body by modifying it to their specifications; specifically against the normative traditions we have been groomed for. This goes for formal writing as well. One follows a writing formula dictated by social standards and thought of as the best, just like normative bodies are thought of as the best by society. Greater authorship over a piece may be gained by breaking out of the traditional writing format, just as body modification grants greater authorship over one’s body. The two aren’t exactly the same, but hold many similarities that have been discussed. In terms of limits, there are limits to what both can express, even when one breaks out of the traditional format, because it is less of how it is expressed, but how it shall be perceived. This perception enforces social traditions and guards against limitless expression.

Prompt 5

The two sources dealing with body modification, the National Geographic body modification gallery and the story on National Public Radio, approach this form of expression in two very different ways. The National Geographic seems to preserve the exoticism of this art by including several examples of body modification from foreign countries, tying their reasons of modifying them selves to religious, spiritual, and cultural practices. Even the two examples of modern primitivism that were shown highlighted the highly spiritual reasoning for their practices. None of their examples displayed tattoos that were merely for decoration, or done under more casual circumstances, as the mainstream tattoo is today. Another thing I found interesting about the pictorial was that none of the subjects were ever identified with names; they all remained only as people in places and cultures, with no individuality of specific people. I believe this was a technique National Geographic used to preserve the exoticism they were arguing of body modification.

The story ran on National Public Radio had a very different treatment of body modification; instead of arguing it was still an exotic practice, as National Geographic did in it’s pictorial gallery, the radio program argued that it was becoming more mainstream. They used one example of a real person, James O’Conner, who seemed like a pretty typical guy. The use of the typical individual enforces the mainstream argument, as well as the job he had, which was not only in a very professional field, but a typical one as well. Supporting with statistics and the interview with O’Conner, they argue that body modification is becoming less and less exotic.

As far as my opinion, I believe that body modification is trending towards the mainstream. Through my experience, I have seen many people who have undergone body modification that still are ‘typical’ people, not deviant bodies that want to be seen. With the increase in those kind of people, body modification shall soon be a much more accepted practice in our society.

Prompt 4

In this day and age, where most people agree that the models one sees on television and magazines aren't examples of real or normal people, Dove has done a curious thing. Amidst this environment, they have taken advantage of people's want for self-esteem and acceptance and used it in their advertising campaign. It is important to notice this, because if one fails to do so, they might miss the clever things Dove is doing to sell their products, and not necessarily do what they're suggesting they are.

Taking the example of a print ad, with a very freckled young woman gazing contentedly into the lens of the camera. We are given two options to the side of her face, with small check boxes next to them, indicating a selection. The top option says, 'ugly spots?' while the bottom contrasts with 'beauty spots?' Even smaller words below say, 'Does beauty mean looking like everyone else?' This particular ad is giving only a small amount of options. I personally would call the spots on this woman's body 'freckles'; I believe few people would chose the word 'ugly spots' because this woman is not ugly, nor do the spots on her body make her so. But beauty spots is going a bit far. The selection is not true to form. There are not only two extremes of people, however, Dove is suggesting there are only two choices. Also, the small writing below suggests that if we say 'no', we agree this woman is beautiful. I admit beauty can have variety, but again, I feel like I am forced into two answers. Even so, this kind of ad gives Dove ethos. It is standing up for freckles, and that everyone can be beautiful. But not...everyone. It's interesting to see who they left out in their campaign. Even though this woman has freckles, she is still 'beautiful' besides them. It is interesting to consider that even though Dove is gaining support of their campaign, they aren't using non-beautiful people to participate in it because they realize not many people would enjoy looking at them and it would not associate well with the products they are trying to sell.

Speaking of those products, I also looked over one of the videos released by Dove entitled 'Pro-Age'. This video featured attractive late forties women sitting tastefully nude and smiling, words after them, 'Too old to be in an anti-aging ad'. Thereafter they say something along the lines of, 'this isn't anti-age, this is pro-age' and then a speaker introduces the products along with the narration 'beauty has no age limit'. Well, if it doesn't, why didn't you show us eighty, or ninety year olds? Clearly beauty does have an age limit, or I'm certain Dove would have paraded them in front of us to prove this point. But again, it was only late-forties women. The close-ups on their body weren't even focused on their wrinkles, but rather tight, youthful-looking skin. It's simply the ethos they're using, to make them seem like a good company working for the aging woman, on her side. Also interesting is that even though they label their products as pro-age, they are still anti-aging products. The natural processes of aging are slowed through their use. If Dove came out with a product that would wrinkle one's skin, that, I accept, may be labeled pro-age without any eyebrow quirks from me. Until then, I applaud their efforts to make a unique campaign that makes women feel good, however, I still believe their main focus is to make money, and thus they do things that defeat their own message quite blatantly.

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sl_rush_gatherer_arikara_edward_curtis_a2zcds
Originally uploaded by jilliansayre

“Rush Gatherer” by photographer Edward Curtis depicts a female of the Arikara tribe gathering rushes. However, the image may potentially say much more. Through analysis using visual rhetoric, one can find many arguments that this image supports and gain further meaning about the piece as a whole.

This photograph depicts a woman looking out at the camera, but with downcast eyes. This may indicate several things. Her downcast eyes coupled with her neutral mouth produce a somber expression; perhaps she is feeling shy, or unhappy. Her expression generally conveys negativity through the position of her eyebrows and her eyes. This may argue that she is shy towards the person taking the photograph or the camera itself. It also may support the argument that she is feeling emotionally distressed. Through this argument, one could try to infer why the woman is upset. It could be because she is working, or perhaps she is upset over whites invading the native lands and causing all sorts of destruction in their path. I believe that analysis would be going too far with the scant evidence provided; however, I do believe that the viewer may gain this impression and thus it is important to think about.

It is also helpful to point out her age in one’s assessment of this woman’s emotional state. She seems like an older woman, as evinced by the visible veins on her hands, as well as the wrinkles on her forehead and around her eyes, and on her cheeks. The wrinkle patterns, especially the ones around her eyes and mouth, may contribute to the feeling that this woman is upset. Her eyes seem droopy, her mouth seems to be frowning. It is important to consider, however, this may simply be aspects of her age, and not her emotional state.

It is also interesting to note, as it has been indicated that she is an aged woman, that she is working. One can see this through the large bushel of rushes that she has gathered in her arms. There are also many rushes in the background, indicating the vast amount of work she may be required to perform. The visible veins in her hand perhaps indicate that she is gripping tightly on the bushel. Even with that, however, she doesn’t seem to be exerting herself too much, as she has obviously paused to pose for a photograph. She is remaining still, and, while not directly looking at the camera, seems to have stopped momentarily. With this argument, one can conclude while she is not doing too heavy work, it is manual labor that is being performed by an aged woman. One also could consider that the work that she has performed over the years has made her to look aged, although that may be a precarious argument to take granted the small amount of evidence. In any case, this may argue the tribe that she is in, or even the entire culture, obligates even old women to work.

A final point to be made is the state of dress of the woman. She is fully clothed; not exposed like many other Native American tribeswomen. One may gather that maybe she is from a ‘purer’ or less sexually deviant tribe, who disallows nudity based on decency, however, the text at the bottom of the photograph may give a clearer answer. It says ‘Arikara’ in the lower left corner, next to the title of the photograph. This indicates what tribe the woman is in. The Arikara people were centralized more in the northern part of what is now the United States, where the climate is colder. Thus, one can infer that this woman is wearing full dress simply because the climate lends itself to that state of dress.

Through analysis of these various aspects of this image, one can gain a greater perspective on this photograph, and become more aware of it’s argumentative qualities.

Prompt 3

The 1840 painting by Edward Hicks, “Penn’s Treaty with the Indians” and the painting of nearly 70 years earlier, painted by Benjamin West and entitled “Treaty of Penn with Indians” are remarkably similar pieces of artworks. There is no doubt that Edward Hicks, an American limner painter, copied the image crafted by West almost directly, only flipping the image and changing minute details. The styles of the two paintings are remarkably different, and it could be the case that Hicks was attempting to apply his own folksy style to the more ‘academic’ or perhaps romantic looking West piece (It is interesting to note, however, neither of these men received formal training in art for most of their lives). As a Studio Art major, I personally believe that while West might have originally had an argument for the piece, one can only infer and use one’s own judgment to decide what this argument was. In fact, I believe that it is even possible to apply meanings to a piece that the artist did not intend at all. This does not make the arguments less valid, as long as it is noted that the artist’s intentions or arguments may have been completely different than what the viewer infers from it, and that the viewer most definitely interprets a piece depending upon their own filter, values, and environment. Thus, drawing arguments from pieces, especially ones of a different time period than which the viewer lives, is a precarious business and it is probably not a good idea to say the artist of any piece felt any particular way. I personally believe that one can, however, draw vague ideas out of a piece, and make educated guesses about what the artist was probably trying to express when he or she made the piece, especially if we have other evidence such as the time period in which the artist lived, other pieces created by the artist, or writings by the artist or other primary source. I suppose if I were to generalize my point here, I would say that think visual rhetoric is not so reliable as written rhetoric, as visual art is generally more open to interpretation than writing (though written rhetoric can also be a bit hazy, if we consider different things like different translations of language or vague meanings of words).

Well, the point of this prompt was to explain the arguments of these two pieces, and I don't believe I have done that up to this point. However, I felt like I needed to make a distinction between the artists and the art that they made. Sometimes, artists don't make pieces with arguments in mind, consciously at least; arguments are applied to their pieces later by viewers. We talked a lot in class about these pieces as well, so I figured I'd say something different. Also, helpful to note neither of these artists saw the actual event they're depicting. Onto the analysis.

Left to right bias: Does it indicate importance, or establishment? By putting the natives or white men on either side, it may change how an individual interprets the piece. Either way, the natives and the white men are separate. This may indicate them being separate entities, not -too- good friends, just different parties partaking in this contract. Focal point: I believe it is kneeling vest man and sitting Indian across from him in both paintings. I don't think this indicates much, but it may be that this treaty is taking a while so they wanted to sit down. Maybe they're getting more comfortable with each other. It would different if every one was standing up. More guarded. The artists may have made this decision of focal point consciously, maybe not. The tree provides a frame for the piece and the sky/sea region provides open space so the eye can rest. The native with the baby is in the light in the West painting; while she is in darkness in the Hicks. I believe this may be interpreted to make the natives seem more personal and friendly (also in closeness to viewer) while the Hicks, they look more distant, mysterious. I emphasize again I don't believe Hicks intended this, West may have just been a little more talented in portraying light.

I could go on for ages about different things I see in these two paintings, but I feel like those major points are sufficient.

Prompt 2

The bodies of the Native Americans as described in “Travel Writings”, vary from person to person and the unique experiences and interactions they have had with these peoples. However, nearly all seem to share many common themes, from which one can define the “New World body”-the bodies of these natives in the perspective of these early explorers of America.

The uncivilized nature of the natives is mentioned throughout the texts. John Lawson refers to them as ‘heathens’ on page 335 of the text, even when describing their beauty and comeliness. It is almost as if he thinks it strange for people of such uncivilized nature to be comely or beautiful, which may be why he writes about it in his accounts of his travels. Lawson is not the only one; George Shelvocke also notes the ‘savage appearance’ (339) of the Native Americans he encountered. William Bartram goes as far as to compare the natives to alligators. Through the descriptions of uncivilized nature of these people, the explorers also establish their bodies as threatening ones; George Shelvocke mention his Negros’ fear of the these people, and Samuel Hearne recounts an experience with these people that paints them as downright barbarous.

Another way the New World body is defined by the explorers is an uncovered body. The explorers mention the nudity of these people as well in their writings, because it is strange to them. As Europeans, they find it normal to have one’s bodies covered, as it is private. Thus they mention the stark contrast to their own norms that is expressed in the natives’ lack of clothing. I believe that in these writings, both genders are mentioned about the same, so these bodies are not gendered.

As for the 17th century map, I believe there are a few differences in the definition of the New World body as compared to the one portrayed by the maker of the map. These bodies seem markedly more civilized, while the body was described as much more savage in the travel writings. While some of these people have weapons in the illustrations, they are not wielding them in a threatening manner, and they seem much more like accessories than anything else. Also, most of these bodies are clothed, while the natives in the text were described as naked. This emphasizes the point that definitions are not universal and vary greatly depending on the perspective of the person making the definition.

Atkinson Extra Credit

In Tiffany Atkinson's chapter, she writes much about the 'naturalness' of the human body. However, I was unclear about what 'naturalness' means in her argument, as well as in a more general view of the human body. Is the 'natural' body merely a physical lack of anomalies? ' Body Worlds' exhibited plasticized bodies stripped of their skin; and with it, much of their identity as a former living being. Was Atkinson posing these bodies as being more natural? Can an argument or identity as an individual be 'natural' as well, or does the naturalness of the human body only exist in physical anatomy?

For the question posed, ‘How do bodies function in your environment?’ I can think of several different ways to answer. In terms of literal, human bodies, I find they work much like machines in my environment. This is especially true in my case of being at a large university. Many bodies have to be working, and playing their part in the system in order for it to work. Some bodies clean the halls of the dorm I live in, some bodies teach the classes that I attend. Some of the bodies aren’t directly related to me at all; but for how they function in my environment, they serve as noise and visual interest as they bustle along Speedway, or hassle me with fliers in West Mall. During my daily activities, I do not see these bodies as individuals, although I am aware that each body I see in on the streets or in my classes houses a brain, and in that brain a mind, and, in my opinion, in that mind a soul. This makes them all individuals, serving their own goals just like me, and I am a part of their environment, too. But I have little time to consider every individual, because, although I know it, the desires and fears they have, the goals, memories, all things that make up someone’s soul, are hidden to me. And all I see are bodies.

When I come to address the arguments these bodies are making, how they present themselves; it conveys a message to me, it is only a limited window into their identity. I tend to see more obvious their functions in relations to me than the arguments they make, lest their arguments give clues to their function in relation to myself or my environment. For example, if I see a rather shady looking character, meaning, the argument of his or her body is conveying hostility, I would tend to stay away from them because their function in my environment could be to be a threat to me. The argument is definitely a factor in determining the function of the body, but is limited in how is can express their individual nature with such limited interaction.

Another examples of bodies acting in terms of function rather than arguments expressing personal identities is the collective of the student body. One can tell by the term alone that one is grouping hundreds, thousands of unique interests and arguments into a collective by function. To be a student is the general function they have in their environment, as far as the university is concerned. To group students this fashion is forgetting about their unique bodies in some way, as they are being generalized by function. While the physical body is being largely ignored in a way, it’s not entirely negative, it’s merely a consequence of large institutions. One place where bodies remain important, however, is in the world of visual mass media; movies, television, and in many cases, on the internet. The body is very important in this media because the body itself is serving as the entertainment for the masses. Thus, the body simply cannot be ignored and is very important if so many eyes are on it, and it’s function in the environment is to provide entertainment.