"Feeding our insecurities"

As I started to read the book, "Culture Jam", I thought that it wouldn't spark my interests at all. As I read on, I noticed that I was really getting into it, and even taking the way I live my life and applying it to Lasn's feelings. One quote that really sparked my interest while I was reading was on pg. 75, under the, "Your Corporate Connection," section. The quote reads, "And they have done it subtly, feeding our insecurities a little at a time." This specific quote was referring to how advertisements, media, and so on affect us on how we look. I made a connection with the paragraph about, Randy the gym rat. It goes on to explain how he lifts day in and day out and inspects his body regulary to achieve the perfect physique. He uses steroids to help aid his progress in creating the "perfect body," and its affects are obviously detrimental to his health. As I am currently training for a bodybuilding competition in the spring, I noticed that besides steroids I do the same things. Basically, in the big picture I have let muscle magazines, internet sites (http://www.bodybuilding.com/), and so on somewhat take over me. In fact, I'm not afraid to admit that I have spent hundreds of dollars on supplements to help create a perfect physique as well. Just like Randy and many other young adults out there, I have let the industry somewhat corrupt my mind. Although, I love lifting and will continue to work hard and try to compete, I came to the realization that this book states real ideas. The main point that I am trying to make is how many women and men on a daily basis let the media, and t.v. control our lives subconsciously. Women are developing eating disorders, men are taking steroids, and people are breaking their backs to look like, "that person on the magazine cover." When will we learn to define ourselves and be confident enough to say, "I like the way I am."