Weight in Money
I think that television and the visual culture in which we live today definitely has an impact in the way presidential candidates are viewed in the American population. Wiehgt and appearance are a huge factor in the way that movie stars and people are portrayed in the media and the ideal appearance of the human form. However, even in saying that, the mildly overweight to 3-400lb person can be well loved on television due to personality (ie, Rosie O'Donnell... Oprah back in the day... George Castanza) but their personalities win over the audience.
In thinking about the presidential candidates for this year, it is obvious that their philosophies are important, but their personality and appearance have definitely become more of a factor in today's societal battle of choosing and voting for a president. I think some of this is dependent upon the American culture and some of it dependent upon looking good in front of others. I have yet to figure out why Schwartzanegger was ever voted into some form of political standing, althought I don't remember who ran against him...
In answer to the question, no - I don't believe America would vote for a 3-400lb president or candidate such as this into some kind of office, but I do believe that principles like those of MLK and Ghandi would be important... somewhere there is a balance, but then maybe it's just in objecting to current principles at the time of the running or the time in office...
Comments
Chris Farley, I would have voted for him and he was not small.
Posted by: maggie | April 23, 2008 5:05 PM
There are strong indications that the status of images is improving. We live in a mediated blitz of images. They fill our newspapers, magazines, books, clothing, billboards, computer monitors and television screens as never before in the history of mass communications. Something is happening. We are becoming a visually mediated society. For many, understanding of the world is being accomplished, not through reading words, but by reading images
Posted by: Greg Sawiris Nutritionist | September 27, 2008 6:31 AM