Ecb: Created page with 'Category:Everyday Life One of the most significant ways in which Fifth Wave civilization differs from past cultures is in the concept of the self as a work of art. In 2100, …'

Ecb — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:06:05 GMT

Created page with 'Category:Everyday Life One of the most significant ways in which Fifth Wave civilization differs from past cultures is in the concept of the self as a work of art. In 2100, …'

New page

[[Category:Everyday Life]]
One of the most significant ways in which Fifth Wave civilization differs
from past cultures is in the concept of the self as a work of art.

In 2100, any wealthy citizen can use biosculpting, biomod implants, and
other technologies to control his physical form and appearance. He has the
resources and leisure time necessary to shape his personal lifestyle. He even
has some conscious command over his own personality, through the use of
education, memetic therapy, and neurosurgery. All of this sets him apart from
humans of the past, who lacked such far-reaching and precise command of
their own bodies, minds, and souls.

The implication is that every aspect of a person’s appearance and behavior
can be considered a deliberate choice. The modern philosophy of art recognizes
this fact by treating humanity as the ultimate medium for aesthetic
expression. In the year 2000 a person might have been physically unattractive
or personally obnoxious, but he would also have been forgiven these traits
because they were in some degree beyond his control. In 2100, similar traits
are evidence of bad taste and much harder to tolerate.

There are several major artistic schools dealing with the manipulation of
self. Naturalists prize the imperfections of “normal” human forms and personalities,
extolling a minimalist approach to biosculpting and memetic manipulation.
Various classicist schools preach conformity, demanding that everyone
mold themselves to a common physical and moral ideal. Epicureans teach that
the individual human is the ultimate arbiter of taste, and should create a self
that yields the greatest personal pleasure. Absurdists promote the most radical
manipulations of body and mind, claiming that only in extremes can true beauty
be found.

Most human beings are amateurs in the art of the self, just as in all other
arts. Still, most people are familiar with the notion that one’s image is something
that can be crafted and presented to others in a tasteful manner. Celebrities
are the greatest masters of this art, and are openly admired for their
command of personal expression regardless of what their actual accomplishments
may be in other areas.

Self as Art - Revision history

Ecb: Created page with 'Category:Everyday Life One of the most significant ways in which Fifth Wave civilization differs from past cultures is in the concept of the self as a work of art. In 2100, …'