I think it would be great if you posted the article you write. I'm curious about the event.

I still disagree with you to some extent about the issue of race and weight, but it's definitely complicated and subtle. Partly, there are far fewer black women and Latinas in, e.g., pop, and when they're there, they're treated quite differently than the little white girls. (Think Beyonce v Britney, for instance.) Partly, too, they come from communities with different vibes about fat, so perhaps there's something about the way the women themselves think about it that's involved? And partly, representing black and latina women as fat has been part of how they are 'controlled' in the media, so there is a 'type' that a fat minority woman conforms to, like 'Aunt Jemima'--so the permission they have is partly very racist in origin.

Finally, if we add East and South Asians into the mix, one could argue that the pressures on them are even more intense to stay super skinny. The only exception is Margaret Cho, and she's been quite vocal about her experiences.

So, yeah, I think it's not a simple question...

Have lived in US (East and West coasts), Sweden (west coast only), and the UK (north and south--would never move to the south again). I've liked all of those, each in their own way, and would happily live in any of them, and in Denmark.

If I could choose from a blank slate, it would be someplace warm (not hot), sunny, and dry. Like the SF Bay Area, but not most SF neighbourhoods (too foggy!). Sun and salt water make me haaaaaappy.

Politically, it would definitely be Scandinavia, preferably the Scandinavia of about 20-30 years ago, pre-immigration terrors and rising racism. Social democracy is simply the most workable among a set of not-ideal choices that we've come up with so far. Highest standards of living, good longevity, high happiness indexes, etc.

But the weather thing makes it too grim up there. And the high suicide rates map closely to seasons. I love things metaphorically dark, but literal dark is not good for humans, esp this one.

Oh, yeah, TELEPORTATION. So sad I didn't think of that myself.

Hey, Seth, great post!

Two thoughts:

1. You're totally right about the wealth thing. It was a big realisation for me that insecurity--the making and perpetuating of it--is a major branch of contemporary capitalism. Sad.

2. This is one thought with two parts:
a. Queen Latifah, Whoopi, and Mo'Nique have all very famously dieted.
b. The demographics of fat are very much weighted, as it were, towards blacks and Latina/os in the US. Whether or not that is secondary to class is not something I've seen seriously analysed, but I would like to. Those kinds of analyses aren't easy and require real quant social science chops.

Nerdalert was talking about making microwave fudge in chat tonight, so I poked around online, and this looks like an updated version of a very good fudge my cuz used to make. Haven't tried it, but looking forward to:

Microwave Fudge is an easy recipe that comes together in a snap. A few ingredients and a microwave are all that's required to make this rich, creamy fudge. Don't miss the video showing how to make microwave fudge!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 14-oz can condensed milk
1/4 cup (4 tbsp) butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
Preparation:
1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter. Microwave in one-minute increments until melted, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Stir to ensure all the chocolate is melted, then add the vanilla and salt. Stir until the candy is smooth and well-mixed.

4. Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer.

5. Place the fudge in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours. Once set, cut into 1-inch squares and serve at room temperature. Store excess fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Haaaa! 'excess fudge'. What a ridiculous concept.

I guess either no one wants to read, or no one is bothered by the connection that both Campos and LeBesco make between racism and fat hatred. I felt sure that would be a conversation starter... no takers?

Oooops, my bad.

www.nytimes.com/2004/05/01/arts/demonizing-fat-in-the-war-on-weight.html

Well, I didn't really think most posters would be up for a long discourse on the use of light, for instance. Happy to have the conversation go in that direction if that's what folks want, though!

...by DINITIA SMITH (NYTimes, May 1, 2004)

Just came across this and loved it. Would love to hear what everyone thinks about this one? Any issues you'd really like to discuss from here?

I prefer Saville's to Freud's, myself, but I think both are interesting and compelling. Two more links for your contemplation and delectation:

Mary Mc's Fat Acceptance Fat Art and Artists page. List of links to fat art. I love some of these, perhaps most particularly this one--www.artmozaik.com/Curves.html

Adipositivity Project, at <www.artmozaik.com/Curves.html. I love this project, I love the artist, and I even love her name--Substantia Jones.

Thoughts?

Hi, all,

I was photographed recently for a story on feeding for a UK newspaper, and the photographer was talking about taking inspiration from Jenny Saville's paintings. I hadn't seen them in a while, so I went to look afterwards.

Her style is difficult for some people, but I'm always really taken with her work. So I thought about starting this thread for people to post images of and links to images of fat bodies in art works, from either famous works or your own.

Here are two fat blogs with some images to have a look at:

tinyurl.com/5cm3m8

tinyurl.com/5cm3m8

What do you think of these works? Do you have a favourite fat artist? Do you like looking at paintings, sculpture, and photography of fat bodies? Comments, please!