I don't feel bad for people with eating disorders.

I have an inkling that this one might not be as universally accepted as some of my previous classics. You know, the rants about the Spring Weekend concerts, the celebration of the Guacamole Dorito, and of course, how could I forget, the Competitive Eating post. Hmm...Ironic that I should mention the Competitive Eating entry now, because I intend to delve into a topic that involves competitively NOT eating. It's just so circular, so strangely appropriate. Could any two things possibly be more diametrically opposed? Of course, since my thoughts on competitive eating are well chronicled on the Douche, you may have naturally assumed that I might find its polar opposite, eating disorders, stupid. And you would be right.

We all love to root for the underdog in this country. The Have-Nots. We feel for those who are less fortunate, and struggle to survive. So what to make of those who are quite fortunate, and yet choose not to eat? Public opinion would tell you that you should view these two fates with the same amount of empathy. Whether it's a homeless man collecting cans all day to pay for McDonald's, or a rich girl who watches too much TV and decides to stop eating so she can totally be fabulous like Heidi and LC, our hearts are supposed to go out to these people in the same manner. Funny, I don't see it.

People with eating disorders tend to be white, young, female, and upper class (Source: Abnormal Psych with Professor Cruess). So why am I supposed to care? Some of the most priveleged and educated people in the country wind up with a completely self-inflicted problem, and I'm supposed to feel bad? What if I were to start bashing myself in the head with a hammer twice a day? All the sudden it became a routine, and gosh darnit, I can't stop. I just love to bash myself in the head with that hammer. Do you feel bad for me? No, because I'm a dumb fuck for doing it in the first place. (Ed. Note: That's why I always use a crowbar).

Come to think of it, my overwrought analogy actually more closely resembles cutting/self-mutilation. But you know, I feel the same about that phenomenon, so let's just let it ride.

There are people in this country with real problems. Cancer. AIDS. MS, MD, ALS... Unavoidable diseases. (well, AIDS isn't entirely unavoidable, but one could stumble across it by accident, whereas Anorexia/Bulimia is purposeful) Starvation. Homelessness. For all these reasons, I just can't wrap my head around sympathizing with someone who's gotten themselves into a mess for superficial reasons.

And yes, I'm well aware of the fact that images in the media may have plenty to do with it. Well guess what; I've been in Abercrombie and Fitch too, and seen all the rippling-abbed men on the wall. I've seen the BOD man-spray commercials. I watched 300. The unrealistic portrayal of people in the media goes both ways. Men are objectified in a similar fashion. When's the last time you saw a men's underwear or cologne ad in which the man was clothed? Still, only 10% of people with eating disorders are male. Plus, if the portrayal-in-the-media argument was so strong, then maybe all women from 18-25 or whatever would have eating disorders. But that's not the case. There are the strong-willed and the weak-willed.

If you plan on eating dinner tonight, kudos to you for having faith in your convictions and thinking for yourself. Because even though images in the media can be a stressor, in the end, it's up to the individual whether they're going to pick up the fork or not; whether they're going to hold down the meal or poke themselves in the uvula and toss it right back up. As a nation, let's stop blaming everybody else for things we bring upon ourselves, shall we?

Oh, and if you didn't like this blog, I did it because I felt societal pressure to do it. Not my fault.

In case you're still not convinced, Ladies and Gentlemen, the late, great, George Carlin!

George Carlin: Eating Disorders

Damn, I'm hungry.