INDIAN AD TURNS THE MALE GAZE BACK ON ITSELF AND IT'S AWESOME

[davidthegnome]

309. You make some good points.

To me, women are beautiful - certainly more beautiful than men. Yet to someone who admires men in the same way, the shoe is on the other foot.

As to societal conditioning and why we might see things this way... well, I believe it has to do with money. Sex sells more than anything else on earth - with the possible exception of drugs. Television producers, politicians, commercial advertisers, restaurant owners, employers in general, nearly everyone who wishes to promote or sell something tends to take advantage of this. Ultimately, I feel that it is greed that promotes this view, this backwards societal conditioning that suggests to us that our most attractive features pertain to our bodies, and not our hearts, minds and souls.

I have always sort of seen myself as being on display when I go out in public. I am generally very nervous as to how I appear, and what others may be thinking of me. I am a person who is very analytical, very introspective, and extraordinarily careful. Perhaps this is for the simple reason that I wish to be liked, desired - even loved. Is it my physical appearance that is most important in this regard? Of course not. Yet it is the first thing that will be noticed, how I look, rather than what is in my mind or heart.

I do wish, very deeply, that our society was more enlightened, more willing to view the higher aspects of humanity as deserving of our praise and admiration. Yet, I must live in the world that I am in, and the world that I live in tends to be superficial, shallow, judgmental... harsh - unforgiving of perceived flaws, especially physical ones. This particular world leaves me lonely and often jumping at shadows.

How I do feel - how this society effects me as a person... it has brought me to the conclusion that the best thing for a deeply sensitive, introspective, careful man, is to withdraw. My nature makes me a rarity, not just to the world at large, but especially in a conservative area where men are expected to appear, behave, and act a certain way. I am often perceived as weak, feminine, overly emotional, or, as they call it today.. "emo". My philosophical views, my tendency for getting lost in thought, or for being willing to be vulnerable, are not, not at all, desirable traits in a man in this society.

When I am not working, I tend to live my life very quietly. Vicariously through my favorite novels and films. I love my family. I try to make a difference politically and socially, when and where I can. Overall though, I prefer my books to the real world, and quiet nights at home as opposed to being on display for a night club.

I like myself, most of the time. I do not live in a world though, where someone such as me is terribly likeable to the masses. Some men have insulted me with taunts that suggest I am very feminine. I have always found such taunts to be the highest form of flattery.