Letters to the Editor

Digital dieting Now you can make all your physical self-loathing digitally manifest in just seconds! Rebecca Traister [2006-09-19]

• re: Letters to HP and why this matters

  Dear HP:

  Because I have academic qualms about your new camera, i.e., your product reinforces notions I learned about in my womyn's study group, I must ask you to not allow others - who may not have such qualms, to be able to purchase this product and to please remove this product from the market. I realize that I can - right now, go out and buy makeup to hide blemishes, shoes to increase height, bras and other "body armor" to streamline my shape, I can get surgery to remove fat, tighten skin, etc, etc, I can go to a professional photographer who, utilizing light, shadow and choice of lens and filter, can make me look younger and more thin - this all before retouch, but your product in particular bothers me because it's not meant for a commercial application, and only "pros" should have access to digital manipulation that reinforce negative body image. Though I can never prove that digital manipulation of an image allows women to indulge in self hatred - any more than I can prove that thin models in magazines make women feel bad about themselves, I still prefer that this product is removed from the market - after all, what other point could I have in writing you? If I don't like it, it should not exist...

  Thanks :)

  -- Man
  Permalink Flag Tuesday, September 19, 2006 05:31 PM
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