Saw this in the NY Times today... seems pretty crazy, no?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/15/wo...dy-images.html

Here's the original ad that sparked the outcry (note the protest graffiti):


That woman is not starving herself. If she was, she would look unhealthy. Which she most certainly does not. She looks fantastic and obviously takes care of herself. Evidently that's illegal in London now.

But if it's not unrealistic to care for your body and look great, then fatties have no excuses.

That's pretty damn stupid, that a gov't bureaucrat would presume to ban something like that. A little scary. I'd like to think that couldn't happen here, but I guess Bloomberg did ban Big Gulps.

I've seen that ad probably 50 times in the past few months simply due to the outrage, and I don't live within 5000 miles of London. Not the brightest bulbs in the world.

I mean technically the ad sorta is fat shaming, or skinny glorification. So I guess it comes down to whether that is good or bad. The new mayor has certainly made his opinion known on the subject!

The concept that simply having a thin model in an ad is "fat-shaming" seems ridiculous on its face. The logical conclusion to that train of thought, is that only fat people can appear in advertisements.

It is akin to saying only ugly people can appear in movies or TV shows. Kate Beckinsale's beautiful face might make ugly people feel bad about themselves, after all. Better ban her movies.

That actually might make more sense when you think about it... since the average person can't do anything about the attractiveness of their face, while overweight people can easily start exercising/eating better.

There's a Kurt Vonnegut story about that type of thing, Harrison Bergeron. It's in Welcome to the Monkey House. Gifted people are forced to handicap themselves to ensure equality for all.

Lol at banning encouraging people to work hard for results

Jfc

But that's advertising pills...

I'm not a woman, and I wonder if this whole body image thing is blown out of proportion. I know some girls are bolemic and stuff, but does every single woman feel inadequate over these ads?

I'm thinking, as a guy, I have zero chance of ever looking like a shirtless buff model, but no one is bitching at that silly surf shop that doesn't even sell surfer gear.

I'm sure it is different for women, as they do have body image issues that men don't have. But that doesn't make it OK for politicians to ban ads like this. There is absolutely nothing offensive about that ad that makes it ban-worthy, nothing. It's a woman in a bikini. The only thing offensive about it, is that she's thin. It's insanity.

BTW kioshk I've read that Vonnegut story, it's great.

IMO, this has nothing to do with feminism, nothing to do with anorexia or body shaming. This has everything to do with politics/religion.

The one where the dancers have to perform with chains attached?

probably

You could perhaps argue that regarding Khan, but I don't think the original outrage over the ads was motivated by politics or religion. It was just people angry that a thin woman's body was reminding them how fat they are.

interesting, we read that in high school, never realized who wrote it but it is sometimes in the back of my mind

WHy would you say that?

Check this out, the FDA just approved a freaking stomach pump that removes just-eaten food. It sounds too crazy to be true, but it is definitely true. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...mach/85915870/

LOLLLLLLLL gross

Dude. Gross. WTF.

How is that different from purging?

My not overweight daughter, when she was like 12, wanted something and you know how kids promise to do something good, like clean the garage, to get something? She said something like, "If a lose 10lbs will you let me... (I forget what it was)?"

And I assure you absolutely none of that feeling she needed to lose weight came from her mother or me.

As disgusting as this may be, it would probably be effective for some people.

Sigh. I've had this discussion with some of my male friends. I think as men, we can't understand this sentiment. In general, I've come to believe that a part of women's self-worth comes from their looks. Of all the human beings I've met with low self-esteem that absolutely should not feel that way, it's come 90% from women. I've met plenty of men who were fat ugly stupid slobs who had incredibly high self-esteem. I've met almost none who fit that description that were women.

Our society does put pressure on women and their looks absolutely means a lot to them. Much more so than for men. I kind of feel bad about it. Kind of.

There's nothing unrealistic about this woman's body. She's obviously very fit, but it's not like she's built like something that she's winning body-building competitions. What's next? Ban all fitness models? No models on "women's health" covers?

I'd hate to get all conspiracy theory here, but his religious background also makes me question his motives. But, that's another discussion I guess.

I'm sad and sorry to learn about that.

For sure, I've had 115 lb girlfriends who complained about being "fat." it was astonishing to me.

In contrast, everyone tells me I need to eat more, but then again, I am underweight. I'm now wondering if a normalish looking girl is ever told those things.

Im sure the pro gay marriage mayor is just offended by a woman in a bikini. Lol as usual

If you can't see the difference between the two, then lol.