Extreme plastic surgery and the American nature - Essay Example

?‘Extreme’ Plastic Surgery and the American Nature Plastic surgery is considered as one of the fastest developing area in the field of medicine. An increasing number of people have learned to appreciate its benefits although there are many who still believe that this is basically violating the very laws of nature. The first impression is usually that plastic surgery is a means to enhance one’s appearance, prompted by vanity. Joe Rosen, however, advocates what could be considered as the extreme form and objective of plastic surgery, one that does not just deal with man’s physical appearance but also provides him with possibilities of new superhuman capabilities. A debate has been ignited regarding the ethical and cultural implications of Rosen’s concepts. One of the key questions in this regard is whether such ideas are uniquely American or not. It is imperative that the debate on the matter be resolved as it does not only affect the works of Rosen himself. Definitely, such radical concepts in the purpose of plastic surgery also have a profound impact on the American public. A description and explanation of Rosen’s advocacy would be necessary in order to deeply understand its core. Lauren Slater’s article Dr. Daedalus would greatly help in achieving these. In determining the willingness or unwillingness of the American people to embrace the radical concepts of Rosen, it is also necessary to refer to Lewis Lapham’s Who and What is American. The essay provides a description of the unique American nature, which is vital to the effort of establishing a conclusion whether Rosen’s plastic surgery ideas are acceptable to the public. A review on Lapham’s key findings on the distinct American attitude and perspective would point out that Rosen’s ideas are not just products of his scientific and creative mind. He is not only an American national but one who actually represents the mindset of most Americans, one who dares to venture into new grounds, a pioneer who braves the criticisms that are based on mere conservative beliefs. The American mindset can be easily influenced by a barrage coming from all forms of media and it would just some convincing before they could accept Rosen’s views. When new concepts are fed using the channels that Americans patronize, such as TV, radio, internet, and even the tradition cultural establishments such as religion and education, these tend to settle in the mindset of the people. This only means that Americans are not basically resistant to changes. Lapham pointed out that “the American citizen or the American family can be construed as a product and that with only a little more time and a little more money for research and development all of us will conform to the preferred images in a commercial for Miller beer.” (46) This means that the American mindset is highly receptive to influences coming from the channels of mass culture. It may take time, effort, and, of course, money before such mindset can be altered according to the objectives of the purveyors but the fact is that the individual will likely conform to the views being promoted. Rosen raised a question that actually challenges the argument that criticizes his work: “why are plastic surgeons dedicated only to restoring our current notions of the conventional, as opposed to letting people explore, if they want, what the possibilities are?” (Slater 316) Rosen believes that plastic surgery should develop further. After all, the American mindset would eventually accept it. As Lapham explained, such premise is definitely correct. However, the American is still a rational individual and he will not just conform to these concepts without weighing the pros and cons. The main determinant that can affect the outcome of one’s analysis would be whether such concepts can bring about practical benefits, whether these can solve certain problems or satisfy some necessities. In the case of plastic surgery, a proponent explained that “beauty was a medical necessity because a person’s looks can create social and economic barriers” which means that “repairing the deformity, therefore, allows man to function in a fully healthy way in society.” (Slater 319) Plastic surgery cannot be attributed to mere vanity as some of the critics would imply since even beauty is a necessity. In fact, it cannot be attributed to desire for beauty as it has often been used to solve problems with deformities. Since Americans would base their reactions on concepts being promoted on practicality, it is very likely that they would consider plastic surgery, even the types that Rosen advocates, as acceptable. The American is always searching the better and improved version of what already exists, a fact proven further by the growing interest in plastic surgery. Lapham argued that “who else is the American hero if not a wandering pilgrim who goes forth on a perpetual quest?” (46) This just means that the American identity is not based on what has been defined but on the very process of achieving a definition. Such is the case of plastic surgery; it is not the product but the very principle that drives people to it that matters. It is characteristic of Americans not to be contented with what they already have, with what is already there. There is always the constant search for a more comfortable life, free from the difficulties of the present. This is the characteristic that led early Americans to travel west in search of more fertile lands, one that led scientists and engineers to develop machines and computers that resulted in the advance of the national economy to greater heights. The American mindset is clearly one that favors change, one that may indulge in current circumstances for a certain period of time but when “something better turns up, we find ourselves embarked on the same voyage, gazing west into the same blue distance.” (Lapham 47) Without this, the country and the people would naturally be in a backward state despite the abundant natural resources that they have. This is definitely a positive attitude that has prompted developments in the country, making it the most powerful in the world today. Such attitude promotes a never-ending cycle of searching and improving in all spheres. Americans may seem contented with what they have at present, indulging in its benefits, but they are also recognizing the weaknesses and determining the possible improvements that could be introduced. This is the very essence that drives people to try plastic surgery. Rosen explains that “when you change what you look like, you change who you are.” (Slater 317) The improvement is not just physical although it happens to be the most apparent; it is also social, emotional, or even spiritual. These are changes that can easily be welcomed by the American characteristic. This is the same attitude that can be seen in their reaction to the subject of plastic surgery, even to the type that Joe Rosen promotes. Rosen asserted that “we have always altered ourselves for beauty or for power… we risk our bodies daily to achieve status, whether it’s because we’re bulimic or because we let some surgeon suck fat from us with liposuction.” (Slater 324) Just Americans are continually in search of greener pastures, so are they constantly endeavoring to make themselves more beautiful, knowing that beauty has its many advantages. Rosen’s efforts of introducing radical concepts in the application of plastic surgery are basically in accordance to such American characteristic. Obviously, there are practical benefits if people can just fly or breathe underwater. The absence of physical features that would have allowed people to do so is the only limitation. With plastic surgery, such limitation could be overcome and this is what Joe Rosen is trying to realize. Such an endeavor can certainly be related to the American characteristic. The early Americans have braved the elements just to conquer the west. However, it is not the direction that was important; it was the struggle to get there. This is because the effort itself symbolizes the “obligation to construct a plausible self, to build a raft of identity.” (Lapham 46). The pioneers were not Americans traveling westward; they were made Americans because of their courage in going to such direction. Plastic surgery may be a science that does not originate in the country but is the American characteristic that is most susceptible to it. When one tries to define the American psyche though, he must also consider the fact that the country is actually a melting pot of individuals coming from different parts of the globe. Because of this, the people also held different beliefs and principles based on the traditions that they have brought along from their countries of origin. Despite these differences though, Americans still share a commonality in when it comes to the appreciation of their individual work and objectives. Lapham said that “what joins the Americans to one another is not a common nationality, language, race, or ancestry (all of which testify to the burdens of the past) but rather their complicity in a shared work of the imagination.” (48) It may be true that Americans may differ a lot in cultural respects, considering that this is actually a country of immigrants for the real Americans, the Native Americans, have become a minority. However, when it comes to aspirations of betterment through hard work, everyone believes that this is a common goal. It may seem absurd but Rosen is actually articulating the common goal of physical capabilities beyond the ordinary. When he thinks of “cochlear implants to enhance normal hearing, fins to make us fishlike, and echolocation devices so that we can better navigate the night,” his basis is not just his imaginations but the human desire to overcome current weaknesses. Apparently, Rosen’s views are only reflections of the people’s desire to become stronger in many respects. This is just a representation of the American psyche. The issue of acceptance of Rosen’s radical views on plastic surgery cannot even be attributed to differing cultural perspectives among the Americans. The people are not actually debating among themselves based on their respective traditional beliefs as influenced by their national culture of origin. They are arguing against their own conservative notions; the classic battle between the old and new. Rosen profoundly pointed this out when he said that “it is only our Judeo-Christian conservatism that makes us think this is wrong… we have always altered ourselves, for beauty or for power, and so long as we are not causing harm what makes us think we should stop?” (Slater 323) The major obstacle towards the acceptance of Rosen’s seemingly extremist concepts in the application of plastic surgery is not because of people’s adherence to the American traditional beliefs. It would definitely be ironic if Americans resist the changes that Rosen would want to introduce when the country is much known for its inclination towards the new and advanced, towards positive change. Lapham wrote that “maybe it is another of history's ironic jokes that we should repudiate our talent for assimilation at precisely the moment when so many other nations are looking to the promise of the American example.” (49) If the people fail to appreciate the concepts that Rosen is pushing it would actually lose its American nature. Welcoming change is absolutely an American mindset. One is considered American not by the color of his skin or by the creed that he upholds but the mindset or psyche that he possesses. As Lapham has explained the American is someone who dares tread paths never before walked on for as long as ahead lie the promise of a better life. This is exactly the essence behind the purpose of Rosen’s aim to introduce his concepts in plastic surgery. Rosen is a pioneer who dares to venture in to a field of medicine never explored or seldom discussed because he sees the benefits that it would achieve. Promoting or supporting such concepts is therefore a very American characteristic. Works Cited Lapham, Lewis. “Who and What is American.” Harper's Magazine, January 1992. New York, NY: Platinum Periodicals. Slater, Lauren. “Dr. Daedalus.” Harper's Magazine, July 2001. New York, NY: Platinum Periodicals. Read More