Introduction:
How has the Internet changed the way opportunities for socially marginalized groups connect so that they can support themselves?
According to CBS.com, there are hundreds of websites devoted to Anorexia that do not prevent the behavior. Instead, these websites promote it and offer tips in maintaining the illness.
Through the use of search engines such as Google.com and Yahoo.com, hundreds of websites can be found that promote Anorexia. These websites allow people from different parts of the world to connect in order to exchange diet tips, pictures, videos, poetry and advice. On the internet, this phenomenon is known as “thinspiration”.
The ideology of Thinspiration is expressed and shared through the means of independent promotional websites such as pro-thinspo.com and social networks such as Youtube.com, Facebook.com, Myspace.com, Livejournal.com and Xanga.com, Blogger.com. Such networks allow users to form communities in which they can interact with one another without having to leave the comfort of their home. Many of the users cover their faces in pictures in order to keep their identity anonymous.
Without the internet, communities such as these could not exist. People can easily speak to each other through means of internet and exchange countless ideas in order to support such habits and lifestyle. Without the internet, people would have to network face to face. This would allow their identities to be revealed. Because the topic of anorexia is taboo, people with this eating disorder have difficulty expressing their views and thoughts about their lifestyle without wearing a disguise. Through the internet, an anorexic person can find reassurance in their unhealthy habit by means of thinspirational networking. Through the internet, anorexics can join support groups that promote their lifestyle. Without the internet, anorexics would have a harder time finding reassurance in their lifestyles because society considers their habits as destructive.
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2 comments:
Your introduction is solid are you only going to focus on this one group or other ones? I would like to see more examples of the opportunities that groups like pro-ana have on the internet vs. real life. It would make your thesis more powerful, because I do agree with you. It is easier to find people like yourself on the internet. Seems interesting, I'd like to see more of how you are going to tie it all together. Any Stats?
I think you have an interesting start. I am very curious if you will elaborate more on thinspiration. Will you include people who have eating diorders to give your essay a more candid feel?
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