Much has been written in the news about the increasing numbers of obese and morbidly obese.
Mauritania
In studies words used in the description of obese people are derogatory such as lazy, stupid, and dirty. Now if we have an increase in obesity (which we do) and society perceives people who are obese as lazy/dirty/stupid logically this would mean that as a society we believe we are becoming more stupid, more lazy, and dirtier. It suggests that we perceive ourselves/our community as more repulsive than at any other time in history.
Frightening, but quite possibly true. A reflection of collective human consciousness?
Hating who we are is not conducive to positive outcomes. We need a different model.
Enter the men of Mauritania. Here we have a culture with a different set of values of female attractiveness. Obesity is a major problem in Mauritania because there is a social pressure for females to be larger. Much larger! Stretch marks? Excellent. Additional rolls? Even better! Divorced? Bonus.
Where on earth did these ideas originate? (Ha stupid question – Mauritania) This idea of beauty isn’t just accepted but embraced. With loving arms. Many, many times over. In fact they have an obesity problem among women because of the pressure to conform to societal standards.
Figure out how to get an idea absorbed into society like this, and you’ve got one hell of a marketing plan. Figure out how to get an individual absorbed in an idea like this and you’ve got one hell of a therapy.
Blessings,
Bandlerisim: Remember it’s your own body. Your own brain. You’re not a victim of the Universe. You are the Universe.
P
Pember, it’s your own body, your own brain. You’re not a victim of the universe, you are the universe.
Tags: community, metaphor, obese, perception
Did you ever see that movie Idiocracy (sp?). When you mentioned “we are becoming more stupid, more dirty, and lazier, that’s what came to mind immediately!
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Tips, Babysitting Services – Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Guess I am not going on vacation there. Oh wait, it doesn’t matter I am happily married.
Robert Martin
http://www.carbuyinghq.com
Funny and interesting post. Great stuff
Jose Escalante
http://www.JoseEscalante.com
So the men of Mauritania like their women with “much back”, huh. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Reminds me of this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF9QI18-Bpo
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace
There are groups trying to force this view on the mainstream. Truth is, people are getting fat, lazy and stupid. They are being indoctrinated to be this way by the popular culture, the media and corporation’s who stand to profit from this.
People need to take responsibility for their own physical health and well being.
Steve Chambers
Business to Business Sales Training Expert
Reminds me of Animal House:
Dean Vernon Wormer: Mr. Kroger: two C’s, two D’s and an F. That’s a 1.2. Congratulations, Kroger. You’re at the top of the Delta pledge class. Mr. Dorfman?
Flounder: Hello!
Dean Vernon Wormer: Zero point two… Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son. Mr. Hoover, president of Delta house? One point six; four C’s and an F. A fine example you set! Daniel Simpson Day… HAS no grade point average. All courses incomplete. Mr. Blu – MR. BLUTARSKY… ZERO POINT ZERO.
Seize the Day,
Rob
Emergency Preparedness For the 21st Century Family
“….Um, Becky, can you re-locate my February seminar from Mauritania to Sweden? How much? Ok, book it…”
Greg Dougall, Intellectual Property Pioneer
Keri,
That’s an example how different culture can perceive values so differently!
Even within the same culture, things keep on evolving. e.g Coke used to be green and have COCAINE in it. You rad it right. COCAINE.
Magarine used to be pure white, now they make it yellow in colour to digusie that fact that it’s just ONE molecule away being same as PLASTIC and make it “looks like butter”. Ouch!
Heroine used to be in the cough syrup.
Modern Junkies might enter the wrong time zone to have their incarnation
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Keri,
Interesting article about the Mauritania women. The culture is so different here in the states. Almost opposite.
Terry
http://www.terrytom.com
I remember seeing advertisements from the late 1800’s promising plumpness when buying a certain diet product, here in the USA.
James
BusinessAndMarketingMakeover.com/blog
Love the variety of beauty, indeed, world over!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
WOW!
I’m not sure where that is, but I’m betting my workout routines would not be well accepted.
Wise comments on marketing and therapy.
Healthy Living, Katie
It really is all about perspective isn’t it!
Great story, thanks for the reminder. Pushing companies from good to great, Kate