Miriam Does What She Does Best, Which Is Rambling About a Book

[miriamg]

While doing research for my thesis, I’ve come across a book called The Alphabet versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image by Leonard Shlain. It’s only marginally related to my topic, which is a shame, because my fingers are itching to give this book a well-deserved bashing. And since I won’t be able to do that in my thesis, I’m going

Comments

[lisahlin]

Yup.
I think that very few people, even today, realise that objectification can occur through glorification just as well as through degradation.
I also think that the failure to see this is one of the reasons why anti-feminists are often paranoid about women "taking over" through feminism.
Equality is based on truth, trust and respect. Virtues and vices. The recognition of every individual to be equally human as oneself.
We've come a long way but we're not there yet.

[miriamg]

Exactly. Objectification basically means a failure to recognise the humanity of another person, whether you see them as an object to be despised and used, or an object to be admired and worshiped.

[lisahlin]

Precisely!
My personal feeling is that today's society worships the appearance of young women and the power of rich men, among other things. When one keeps these different types of objectification in mind, it becomes obvious that feminism is necessary for mens' rights as well

[jazzqueen]

I am low on brain-juice and can't say anything of real value, but I just wanted to let you know I think this is a very good post :B

[miriamg]

Thank you. I'm glad you appreciate it, since it took a long time to write.