AND THAT’S MY TAKE… (NO SO PRETTY)
© 2010 by Curtis Sagmeister. All Rights Reserved.
I had occasion recently to sit among the sickly and infirm in the waiting room of a medical clinic, the result of which is two stark observations I never thought I would contemplate. Firstly, that our once proud medical service has deteriorated to the point of utter laughing stock status where a four hour wait is considered normal, raising nary an eyebrow among the gaunt faces, wailing babies, and quiet moans of discomfort sitting in desperate anticipation waiting the announcement of their name. It’s a lottery of sorts.
And secondly, that, as a rule, we are not a pretty species.
I could belabor my first observation till the proverbial cows come home and still not begin to adequately flush out the complex series of issues that have spiraled us downward toward a third world medical establishment. Maybe another time.
One could possibly argue that my second observation is skewed by having a statistically small sampling, or that the group of unwitting participants were predisposed to not looking their best due to the nature of their presence in such an establishment, or even that my own attendance at the medical facility placed me in a less than forgiving mood. Admittedly, all these are true.
As a guy, it is possible I am hardwired to be acutely attuned to noticing physical beauty. I am not ashamed to concede that my head will swivel to permit my eyes the dubious opportunity of inhaling a fine female specimen. I am even secure enough in my manhood to suggest that a striking male sporting Adonis-like qualities has caused my jaw to drop in envious awe. Still, I do not get the whole Johnny Depp thing. Apparently he is gorgeous. I think not, but then again, I didn’t think Michael Jackson’s Thriller album would sell well when it was released. So, I have been known to be wrong. Very wrong.
Maybe we prize physical beauty so highly because it is so rare. We worship rarity in all things on this planet and in terms of our subject matter, cosmetic surgeons and Big Pharma are riding an unprecedented wave of desire to look a certain way, extending the fountain of youth well into the golden years and capitalizing all the way to the bank.
Being a physically stunning human being is certainly an exception, yet the appreciation of such is as common as the house fly. Few things are as superficial in our lives, yet represent an entire economy within society. Yes, there are people on this planet earning a healthy income just because they are good looking. They get paid handsomely (celebrate the pun folks) just to be themselves, while the rest of us have to learn a trade and slave for a master to earn a mere portion of what is freely doled out to the chosen few.
And that’s my take.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photographer. Author. Poet. Songwriter. Student of Human Behavior. Community Activist. Social Commentator. Environmental Steward. Wage Slave.
Visit Curtis Sagmeister online at www.sagmeister.ca
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This is a toughie. I am not gonna touch the one about physical beauty, blessed as I am in that department.... (gags)
ReplyDeleteHowever, as to the medical system. And I have had a LOT of experience with it over the past years, primarily this year as my mother has begun the decline of her mid 90's. In the past 6 months, Mom has been in the local hospital 3 times, each stay a few months in duration.
Each time was an emergency bringing her in and she had top care within a very short time. Maybe it is a grading system, but the ER kept her alive twice and their care and concern was phenomenal. They care. As one said, "Nothing will happen to her on MY watch". And he meant it. So I think they have some sort of system, because out in the waiting room, meanwhile, sniffles and bumps waited awhile.
The staffs were amazing. The nurses I cannot say enough good about having watched them dealing with so many situations from their more
challenging patients. They came out winners every damn time, including the neglect of my mother by the doctors for over a week.
Mom had two of us there as constant advocates or it might not have gone so well. The daily meals are, to be honest, slop. Fortunately we got to know the ropes and kept her in meals her delicate stomach would accept. The cuts are there and they are deep.
When Campbell came into power he booted out all the medical support unions and privatized each one. Now standards are lower, much lower, but we saw that coming, didn't we?
But don't expect things to change....
Until we get out of the wars and put life ahead of death.