Being different, attractive, and powerful.

[Ophelia]

A link Tammy gave in the Wicked thread set me thinking, and what i'll write will only have some connection with part of the posting here:

http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/20030708.html

Here is one paragraph which, though not my main point, is worth considering:

We have to ask ourselves which kind of culture we'd rather live in: are you defined as a member of a group (black, American, Russian, white, Christian, whatever) or are you defined as an individual, with your groupare you defin allegiances being secondary? That is, are you defined by your similarities with your compatriots, or your differences?
Logically, I fail to see how an individual can be defined by anything but the differences.

(bold characters mine.)

[Ophelia]

Secondly, my main point, after reading the beginning of the post about animals and which males the females choose in nature.

[quote]To attract a mate of a specific type, animals differentiate themselves. Since females "choose" their mate in most species, males have evolved garish ways of drawing attention to themselves

[DisappearingInk]

very thought provoking article and analysis, thanks for that!

[Ophelia]

Hello, DisappearingInk, and welcome to Booktalk.

Would you like to tell us a little about yourself by writing an introduction in the "Introduce Yourself " threads?

[Theomanic]

Both interesting articles, though I wonder on their validity. I'd like to believe it to be true, but I think it was quite a skewed opinion article.

A lot of people are hostile towards people who are different, and it can definitely impede ones ability to succeed. People who are in power or famous often get more quirky the more money they have, because they can afford to be different. I think the main traits required for success are charisma and willpower. And something to keep in mind is that those people with plumage may be in power, but their differences are very rarely anything outside the socially acceptable norm.

Regardless, everything they do is ultimately controlled by the dull, normal sheep who drive the economy (which in North America, means they control everything).

Also, it would be hard to convince me these young model-types are marrying rich old barons because they were "swept off their feet". I'm sure it happens, but I'm also sure it's the exception. Gold-digging is a survival instinct too...

[Ophelia]

Welcome back Theomanic (now + avatar and flag...)

[Theomanic]

I wander in and out. I'm always easy to find, regardless.