March

     The conversations that circled about human nature caught my attention, as human nature is typically used as an excuse for the faults that people have. But is it human nature to desire what we can't have? Most would respond yes, and this is proven in the texts analyzed this month. The constant change that is present in todays society allows for technology advancements that circulate ideas faster than ever, and is likely a contributor to the changes people wish to have on themselves rather than it being a source of human nature to desire these changes.

     The idea of altering oneself is brought up in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Stevenson who brought the idea to a new life with the transformation of Dr. Jekyll into an entirely separate being who carried out the deeds Dr. Jekyll would never have gotten away with. This goes along the lines of maintaining a reputation as well, and the risks taken that adds weight to maintaining this reputation. The same is true for the opposite, where the idea of keeping something that is meant to change is also an idea brought fourth in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where beauty was valued over morals and ultimately lead to the downfall of Dorian Gray.

     Using science and technology as Dr. Jekyll did to alter oneself is popular today with surgeries transforming ones nose, lips, or gender. All of these transformations are done to achieve something that they originally did not have, and most of the time plastic surgery is done to appear younger and maintain their idea of beauty despite their age. The media that portrays beauty in such an unnatural and often unhealthy way only contributes to this ideal that is impossible to achieve, but can be done with additives such as plastic surgery or steroids.

     I find that those who physically alter themselves are seeking more than just a straighter nose or fuller lips, but confidence in themselves as a whole. I think there is only false confidence that is achieved through alterations, as the ideal that people are trying to achieve in the first place by performing these surgeries is simply wanting what they can't have, but are always seen on the covers of magazines. This false confidence can become dangerous as it can become the only way that peace is achieved when peace should come from within, not from the outside.