Social Theory Past Bedtime

beau-ti-ful adj. having beauty; very pleasing to the eye, ear, mind, etc.
Staying up late studying the great thinkers of social theory over the last few centuries as much fun as that is one of the girls and I have gotten way off topic. We’ve talked about everything from songs written with political agendas to what it means to come from a small town.

The conversation leads to discussing what it is to be beautiful and does one really feel beautiful. Along with that thought, who is defining beautiful? Is it the realistic view of the individual or the impossible yet influential view of the media? We come to the conclusion that most modest people look at themselves, aren’t thrilled and don’t proclaim to the world “Oh, I’m beautiful.”

While trying to better understand George H. Mead, I come across a quote under a section; “I am what I think you think I am.” This frustrates me yet at the same time for many of us this is true. Why is it that we let society conform our own views of ourselves? Is it possible to restate the quote to be “I am what I think I am”?



(image from a RA program, taken by my sister)