We all notice fads or trends that come up: whether it is fashion, food/diet, travel, or media/entertainment focused, trends circulate yearly (or even weekly!).
Magazines tell us what looks good on our bodies now, or what's good to eat, or what sorts of things we should care about. Some things that we believe are truth now, haven't always been "truth." Some truths are based on the times we are living in.
For example, studies are finding now that too much soy in your diet can be very detrimental to your health. Rewind 5 years or so, and all the trendiest diets were including soy protein substitutes--soy milk, tofu, and whatever else. Now there is a diet called "the virgin diet" saying that soy should be avoided at all costs!
The ideal body image for a woman has changed throughout history, as well. Now we say it is important for women to be toned, fit, and slim. In past centuries, women were supposed to be softer and more restful. These things are common cultural beliefs, but we believe them because we are a product of our times.
Parenting, pregnancy, and other lifestyle choices have become "performances"--where people of our culture practice the truths of our times to the fullest and discuss the details of their habits.
It is true that many healthy babies were born to mothers who smoked cigarettes or didn't eat organic foods, despite our culture telling us that these things are essential for a healthy, happy baby.
Happiness is often rooted in this, too. Our perceptions of happiness are based on what our culture tells us is truth. Palm trees are supposed to make us happy, money is supposed to make us happy. It is amazing how much of our own perceptions are based not in reality, but in what media tells us is reality, what the large mass of humanity collectively believes and agrees with.
Magazines tell us what looks good on our bodies now, or what's good to eat, or what sorts of things we should care about. Some things that we believe are truth now, haven't always been "truth." Some truths are based on the times we are living in.
For example, studies are finding now that too much soy in your diet can be very detrimental to your health. Rewind 5 years or so, and all the trendiest diets were including soy protein substitutes--soy milk, tofu, and whatever else. Now there is a diet called "the virgin diet" saying that soy should be avoided at all costs!
The ideal body image for a woman has changed throughout history, as well. Now we say it is important for women to be toned, fit, and slim. In past centuries, women were supposed to be softer and more restful. These things are common cultural beliefs, but we believe them because we are a product of our times.
Parenting, pregnancy, and other lifestyle choices have become "performances"--where people of our culture practice the truths of our times to the fullest and discuss the details of their habits.
It is true that many healthy babies were born to mothers who smoked cigarettes or didn't eat organic foods, despite our culture telling us that these things are essential for a healthy, happy baby.
Happiness is often rooted in this, too. Our perceptions of happiness are based on what our culture tells us is truth. Palm trees are supposed to make us happy, money is supposed to make us happy. It is amazing how much of our own perceptions are based not in reality, but in what media tells us is reality, what the large mass of humanity collectively believes and agrees with.
The truths of our culture are more in line with what Stephen Colbert calls "truthiness" -- quality characterizing a "truth" that a person claims to know intuitively "from the gut" or because it "feels right" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or facts.
It is important to keep this in mind when watching or reading news--they tell us what they want us to believe, and the common beliefs change with the times.
--Megan
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