Hatrack River Forum: question from a long-time lurker

This is topic question from a long-time lurker in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by jmj (Member # 7061) on :

I've been lurking around here for a while but have never worked up the nerve to post.... There are some things I have noticed that I wonder if any of you have even realized and that I would like to understand. I'll ask my first question today: why are so many people so obsessed with attractiveness? So many people talk about being hot, wow, attractive, cute.... Isn't it enough to have a great community of people who understand each other? Is it ever possible to break free from the burden to needing to be attractive?

Just wondering....

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

I think you're hot, jmj...

[Big Grin]

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :

You're staring at my post count, aren't you?

Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :

Because everyone likes to feel good about themselves - women in particular, although they are not by any means exclusive in that respect.

And I don't believe it's a matter of psychological need so much as harmless flattery and friendly lies.

-Trevor

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

At least 70% of the time it's mentioned, it's in jest, jmj. [Smile]

People constantly say "Ralphie's hot!" or something... NOT that that's a joke, of course, but it's all in good humor. Nobody really cares what other people look like.

Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :

More seriously, most people here find intelligence and compassion to be attractive. Throw in humor, good grammar, and proper spelling, and yeah, you're gonna see see a lot of friendly flirting. [Smile]

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

Your name reminds me of Jm. J. Bullock, jmj.

Posted by babager (Member # 6700) on :

So if I'm ugly I can still post? [Big Grin]

Posted by babager (Member # 6700) on :

Storm Saxon-- I'm sorry but I hate all beautiful people [Taunt]

Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :

quote:
Isn't it enough to have a great community of people who understand each other?

No.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

The robot speaks....

[Big Grin]

I think it is in part that we are disconnected from each other in a physical sense, so we joke about the way we look because it is a way of mentioning something that is missing here on the Internet.

Also, a lot of people joke about the opposite end of it, about looking like hell.

Other than Kama, I don't know anyone here who really cares... [Big Grin]

Just kidding....HotNate cares too... [Evil]

[ November 26, 2004, 06:02 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]

Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :

quote:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isn't it enough to have a great community of people who understand each other?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No.

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

quote:
People constantly say "Ralphie's hot!" or something...

Really? Cool.

What was the question?

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

Did there need to be one, really? It's perfect for any conversation.

"It's really cold out today." Yeah, but Ralphie's hot.

"Can you believe what Bush did?" Well, at least Ralphie is hot.

Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :

Ralphie is hot because she brings the funny, she's smart as h*ll, and she cares about people. Besides, have you SEEN her pictures on the foo?

*swoons*

Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :

quote:
So if I'm ugly I can still post?

I still do. [Smile]

Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :

Stan, I'd just like to let you know that you're the man.

If you hadn't realized already.

Posted by Hot Nathan (Member # 6114) on :

Yo, welcome jmj.

Posted by Xaposert (Member # 1612) on :

quote:
I'll ask my first question today: why are so many people so obsessed with attractiveness? So many people talk about being hot, wow, attractive, cute.... Isn't it enough to have a great community of people who understand each other? Is it ever possible to break free from the burden to needing to be attractive?

Random complements = good?

Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :

quote:
Is it ever possible to break free from the burden to needing to be attractive?

Not if you're a black hole.

Posted by raventh1 (Member # 3750) on :

Just like the human need for social interactivity, humans also have a need to be wanted, or admired, or at the very least respected. That's my thoughts on the subject.

Posted by EarlNMeyer-Flask (Member # 1546) on :

Sex.

Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :

kaioshin00, you really shouldn't boost my ego like that. [Razz]

I might start to think that I am a juicy hunk of love. [Big Grin]

Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

*psst* Amy, I got your joke! [Big Grin]

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

jmj - Unless you've personally met the people you're talking to, the very fact that you don't know who looks like what on an internet community brings a delicious absurdity to commenting on people's appearance. Which is why it's usually done for comedic purposes. Thank Jebus we aren't a community that starts "Am I Hot Or Not?" threads.

See, for example, I can say I'm hot all I want, and knowing nobody can say I'm not. Except the people who've met me in real life, and those have all been carefully paid off with hush money.

[ November 27, 2004, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: Ralphie ]

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

quote:
Random complements = good?

Very, very, very good.

Compliments are nice too.

Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :

quote:
See, for example, I can say I'm hot all I want, and knowing nobody can say I'm not.

We may not have seen you irl, but we've seen all your movies, Angelina.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

Jealousy rears it's pretty head, K.A.M.A.?

It's the battle royale between old-time hottie ralphie and the newest challenger, cyborg K.A.M.A.....

I say 10 rounds of Jello wrestling should clear this challenge up.... [Evil]

Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :

Jealousy? I've seen all her movies, I'm a fan.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Except the people who've met me in real life, and those have all been carefully paid off with hush money.

*cough* Oh, rilly? And when will that check be arriving?

Posted by Uhleeuh (Member # 6803) on :

It's probably in the mail [Razz]