Gawking at freaks and geeks online
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 9/4/09 Section: Opinion
An up-and-coming Web site, peopleofwalmart.com, is garnering a lot of attention for its colorful photographs of the, shall we say, "uniquely dressed" patrons of Wal-Marts across the nation. Peopleofwalmart.com is not unique in its concept; it arrives in the shadow of awkwardfamilyphotos.com and the lesser-known mulletjunky.com.
These Web sites allow their visitors to revel in the less-than-beautiful people that, probably without consent, are depicted on each page. Viewers can, for a few moments between breaks at work or entire afternoons at a time, take a moment to laugh at the unfortunate appearances of other "less-than-attractive" human beings.
Sure, these people are different from us in personal style, but should we be posting their pictures online and subjecting them to ridicule on the basis of nothing more than preferences in apparel? In grade school we're taught to revel in our differences, to be unique, to go against the flow. The people in these photos are doing just that.
This issue intensifies; the revelry is also enjoyed in alternate formats. Other Web sites like fmylife.com receive the same type of viewership as peopleofwalmart and awkwardfamilyphotos. On fmylife, the user can post his or her story about something that happened to him/her for the whole world to see. Moreover, fmylife.com is one of the most popular Web sites on the Internet right now.
There really isn't a good reason to rationalize making fun of anyone, especially if you do not know the person you're making fun of. That person may not be able to hear those that are making fun of him/her, but they might later come across the Web site and see themselves on it. Think about it: how would you feel if you discovered a photo of yourself on any or all of these Web sites with a witty caption of how ugly you are or how fat you are or how weird your clothes are? The Internet is free and everyone has access to it; therefore, there is a strong possibility that the people being insulted because of the unflattering pictures will eventually see them.
What it all comes down to is the degree to which we are insecure. What better way to justify yourself as "normal" but to call out someone else as "abnormal?" It happens in elementary, junior and high schools all the time. The bullies are the kids who have issues with their own body image, intelligence or another factor. Rather than dealing with our issues like grown adults should, we cower behind the cover of a Web site that points out someone else's inadequacies.
Take a long hard look at yourself - are you perfect? Probably not, and that's probably part of the reason you're a glutton for these insulting Web sites. Instead of using someone else's shortfall to your advantage, try confronting the issues you have with yourself face-to-face. It's a lot healthier for you, and it will save an innocent person from being humiliated on a worldwide forum.
These Web sites allow their visitors to revel in the less-than-beautiful people that, probably without consent, are depicted on each page. Viewers can, for a few moments between breaks at work or entire afternoons at a time, take a moment to laugh at the unfortunate appearances of other "less-than-attractive" human beings.
Sure, these people are different from us in personal style, but should we be posting their pictures online and subjecting them to ridicule on the basis of nothing more than preferences in apparel? In grade school we're taught to revel in our differences, to be unique, to go against the flow. The people in these photos are doing just that.
This issue intensifies; the revelry is also enjoyed in alternate formats. Other Web sites like fmylife.com receive the same type of viewership as peopleofwalmart and awkwardfamilyphotos. On fmylife, the user can post his or her story about something that happened to him/her for the whole world to see. Moreover, fmylife.com is one of the most popular Web sites on the Internet right now.
There really isn't a good reason to rationalize making fun of anyone, especially if you do not know the person you're making fun of. That person may not be able to hear those that are making fun of him/her, but they might later come across the Web site and see themselves on it. Think about it: how would you feel if you discovered a photo of yourself on any or all of these Web sites with a witty caption of how ugly you are or how fat you are or how weird your clothes are? The Internet is free and everyone has access to it; therefore, there is a strong possibility that the people being insulted because of the unflattering pictures will eventually see them.
What it all comes down to is the degree to which we are insecure. What better way to justify yourself as "normal" but to call out someone else as "abnormal?" It happens in elementary, junior and high schools all the time. The bullies are the kids who have issues with their own body image, intelligence or another factor. Rather than dealing with our issues like grown adults should, we cower behind the cover of a Web site that points out someone else's inadequacies.
Take a long hard look at yourself - are you perfect? Probably not, and that's probably part of the reason you're a glutton for these insulting Web sites. Instead of using someone else's shortfall to your advantage, try confronting the issues you have with yourself face-to-face. It's a lot healthier for you, and it will save an innocent person from being humiliated on a worldwide forum.
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