<p>So I was watching * Supersize Me * last night, and it got me wondering about something. We’re really a society of extremes. People say that we have this obesity “epidemic” and we’re the fattest nation in the world, but we also have so many people stricken with severe eating disorders, more than ever before. And then, more in the context of school, people tend to believe that you’re a “science/math” person, or an “english/history” person. Why such extremes?</p>
<p>Why shouldn’t we have extremes? Although I agree that such cases aren’t really realistic, you have to admit that it does give us certain guidelines and expectations of our behavior.</p>
<p>I believe it also contributes to the severe alcoholism, drug problems (both illegal, and legal–lortab addicts), depression, dysfunction, and rage that permeates our society. Extremes can be dangerous, and happy mediums, benefits of the doubt are better-I think.</p>
<p>goyoungha, true, didn’t think of that. and 311Griff, do you think that we as a society will ever reach that happy medium? Isn’t that too pleasantville-y? Is it worth striving for if we know we’re never going to reach it though?</p>
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<p>Extremes are the same, are they not? Watch Koyaanisqatsi if you haven’t already, Here’s what it’s about: </p>
<p>“The film questions whether, in our haste for technological advancement, humankind have progressed out of balance with nature, each other and our own internal free spirits, with Man now reduced to just a raw material in a non-stop machine.”</p>
<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Out_Of_Balance[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Out_Of_Balance</a></p>
<p>The US is a huuuuuuuuuge country. Therefore, we have room for extremes.</p>
<p>My least favorite is homosexual and heterosexual. To me, those are extremes. I mean, it’s either: you’re purely attracted to your own sex, or you’re purely attracted to the other sex.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure there are girls who are straight but still see other girls as attractives, and vice versa for guys (although, maybe not so vociferous about it).</p>
<p>IMO we just notice the extreme ends of the gradient more than others because they make more interesting case studies. That, or people gravitate towards them to be a part of the group.</p>
<p>I’m not fond of democrat/republican - I think “democrat for all the wrong reasons” is closer to me - and if you say you’re independent people assume you’re with Nader and it’s obnoxious. Raaar.</p>