Our group presented our analysis and explication through a podcast: https://on.soundcloud.com/mqPJiyJwTVvtSuQgM4
Our perceptions of the human body evolve across time periods and diversify across cultures. As technology advances, artificial intelligence and the ability to have multiple online personas complexify our view of the body as a mode for self-expression. Some even theorize the body will be replaced by “computational or other machinic embodiment”; this could appear as “brain layers” being transferred to “hard drives” in order to streamline knowledge exchange (Wegenstein 27). In these times of “disembodiment”, we must critically examine the importance of the tangible human body as a mode of communication (27). At first, our group was confused by the concept of being detached from the body; this prediction by Wegenstein and several theorists felt dystopian and unrealistic. However, we later realized this is exactly what Wegenstein aims to convey; she hopes to demonstrate the “frightening”, “posthuman’”, and “antihumanist” nature of this prediction (27).
Connections with other Critical Terms
After watching other groups’ presentations, I found our chapter connected to the presentation on Chapter 12: New Media. The presenters noted that all media is in a sense “new”, as media of all ages has always had moments of “newness”. Although our chapter heavily focuses on defining the body as a medium, I believe the body can also constitute “new media”, as it is always being reinvented due to cultural precedents. Here, Hansen’s emphasis on affect and bodily experience of computation in “New Media” underwrites Wegenstein’s claim that the body is not post-media but in media. Because of the heavily politicized nature in which bodies have existed through centuries, our chapter also connects to the “Law” chapter which emphasizes how legal codes inscribe and regulate bodies i.e determining which bodies are visible, legitimate, or deviant. Hence, we see the connection that the media produces bodies as aw policies. A striking example of this is cosmetic surgery–a regulated practice (with you can cut what is allowed and malpractice frameworks). Here we see the interplay of law and bodies as mediums of production.
Podcast Brief
Through this podcast, we explore the discussion of ‘The Body’ chapter through summary, analysis, and drawing connection to our experiences and other media. We seek to answer the following questions:
- If the body is always already mediated, is there such a thing as an “authentic” body at all?
- How does the body influence culture and how does culture influence the body?
- If the body is our first medium, what is one way you consciously use your body to communicate or express identity?
Our exploration of Wegenstein’s Body highlights how embodiment is never static but continually shaped by technology, culture, and law. Although it initially felt dystopian to explore the idea of disembodiment and machinic embodiment, we now see how it becomes predictive once we recognize it as a provocation to think critically about what makes the body meaningful. By situating the body alongside “new media” and legal frameworks, we see it not only as a vessel of self expression but also as a contested site of regulation, reinvention, and power.
Podcast link: https://on.soundcloud.com/mqPJiyJwTVvtSuQgM4
Contributors: Stuti Sharma, Dea Yu, Emily Shin, Kimchi Tran
Works Cited
Wegenstein, Bernadette. “Body.” Critical Terms for Media Studies, edited by W.J.T. Mitchell and Mark B.N. Hansen, U of Chicago P, 2010, pp. 19-34.
StrawberryJello. “A Cold but Warm Winter ~Snow World~.”, SoundCloud, no. 8, 2016, https://soundcloud.com/strawberryjello/008-snow-world-yume-nikki-ost.
Loved the creative approach of using a podcast episode to expand on Body as a medium. Emily’s point of the cosmetic gaze feels extremely relevant in relation to youth and social media. Corporations are selling based on what the average person doesn’t have so consumers think they need to have it. They’re capitalizing off of these “shortcomings” we think we have aren’t really that important in the grand scheme of things, thanks to toxic self-improvement culture that we see so many influencers promote online. Too often do I see a Reel where the creator does their 20-step “morning shed” before they’ve even hit age 21. So, I also agree with her following point that we’re still letting ourselves fall victim to that behaviour, conforming with those invisible (and impossible) standards they’re creating.
I’m reminded of the Sugar Bear Hair wave around 2016 (incredible year) when celebrity endorsement for these hair gummies (that didn’t have much scientific evidence for hair growth) went rampant. Celebrities were just eating teal gummies with no real hair benefits and too many followed suit.
Hi Victoria!
I really appreciate how you connected Wegenstein’s chapter to celebrity-endorsed fad products such as the Sugar Bear Hair gummies. It makes me realize how a willingness to perfect our appearance can be so strong that we fall susceptible to fake “health” products. Your ability to connect this reading to online “self-improvement culture” is also very intriguing. I completely agree that online trends such as 20-step morning routines set up an impossible standard for the average person. Even if we know deep down these routines are impossible to achieve on a daily basis, the sheer ubiquity of this motivational content upholds this standard.
Emily
Hi Victoria, thank you for your comment. I think it is a sad reality that these corporations have been getting away with this for decades. Especially with the beauty industry targeting young women, like you mentioned with great examples, I think that the target audience is getting dangerously younger and younger. Therefore, we have significant role as media makers to create reliable, responsible, and benevolent content.
I love the podcast format, it was super engaging and insightful! I find it really interesting how two opposite concepts and ideas of the self can exist in contemporary culture, when Emily discussed the idea of the Cosmetic Gaze and how that could lead to a homogenised or singular identity, while Kim Chi noted that people often care more about individuality and self expression when looking at the body and the self in terms of religion and culture. I wonder how these two have coexisted over time and whether there are any overlaps or conflicts with how individuals mediate the body as a result.
Thanks Ela!
I agree! It’s definitely interesting to wonder how self-perception of the human body has varied throughout history. Personally, I find it interesting how cultural body standards vary between countries. I think there has been an international tendency for countries to adopt Western beauty standards; double-eyelid plastic surgery in South Korea could exemplify this. As a result, I think Wegenstein could further expand her study of the body by observing how Western body standards became popular as a result of European and American colonial powers and military presence.
Emily
Thank you Ela! You are completely right, it is a really interesting thing to wonder about. It really makes me think that nothing is ever black or white or polar opposites.
Your group’s Critical Term is a really interesting one and has so much to dig into. During your presentation I was intrigued by the discussion around whether or not the body is the “first” or the “ultimate” medium. It was cool to see everyone expand on that in your episode here. Now I’m thinking about the different interpretations everyone had related to the individuality and collectivity of the body. Stuti’s comments about the restriction on an individual’s body through childbirth and Kim Chi’s comment about bodies in history being instruments for culture and religion were particularly eye-opening for me. Where does this intersect with the hyper-individuality in the western world today? Emily’s comment about people having multiple bodies for self-presentation/ self-expression via online platforms feels applicable. This whole autonomy discussion also connects to the idea of affordances I think. There are so many things that having a certain kind of body (gender, race, adherence/rejection of beauty standards, ability, etc.) afford or constrain for people. Lots of other theoretical frameworks here apply. Great post– I super enjoyed the podcast format!
Thanks Nam!
I find your question, “Where does this intersect with the hyper-individuality in the western world today?” really interesting.
It made me think about whether the digital revolution actually gave us more freedom to be ourselves. Wegenstein notes that digital platforms allow us to explore “personas” different from our real-life “mundane” selves (28). Through this feature, the internet expands our modes of self-expression. At the same, I wonder if users are actually exploring new identities online or if they are just imitating individuals who they admire and hope to be. It makes me wonder if the internet promotes individuality and uniqueness or imitation of one’s idols.
Emily
Thank you Naomi!! I am glad you enjoyed the podcast. I think it’s so interesting how the hyper-individuality in the Western world today, especially views around bodies, has the ability to dominate cultural norms beyond just the West. However, with the rise of K-pop bands in the West, I’ve also noticed a shift in beauty standards. It’s just interesting how the fashion and beauty industries from different cultures influence one another!
This was such a rich and thought-provoking podcast. I really appreciated how you all unpacked the tension between being a body and having a body. That distinction stood out to me because it reframes embodiment as both personal and socially constructed. I also liked the way you connected the chapter to broader frameworks like law and new media, especially the idea that bodies are always subject to regulation as much as they are sites of self-expression.
It also made me think about how much of what we consider “natural” about the body is actually shaped by these systems (laws, technologies, cultural pressures) that we rarely stop to question. Your discussion really pushed me to reflect on how the body is something constantly negotiated between ourselves and the world around us. It left me wondering if the body is always mediated, maybe “authenticity” is less about finding a pure state and more about how we navigate those negotiations with awareness.
Thanks Maryam!
I think your comment, “bodies are always subject to regulation as much as they are sites of self-expression” summarizes Wegenstein’s chapter and our group’s interpretation of her theories perfectly.
I agree–I do think even the idea of a “natural” or “authentic” body is everchanging. It makes me wonder if the selves we produce through virtual spheres (RPG games, social media accounts, etc.) can ever be truly authentic since these channels often feel self-promotional and limited.
Thank you Maryam! Love what you said about reflecting and about the idea of authenticity. It is really interesting how for something so natural such as having a body, we are constantly being restricted by rules, forces, expectations, all of which are often invisible.
Hiii Kimchi, Dea, Emily, and Stuti,
I really appreciate the creative direction you took with this post. It was such an engaging listen!
Recontextualizing the body as a medium felt eerily dystopian, yet also offered an often-overlooked introspective perspective on something we usually take for granted. Framing the body as both a mirror and a vessel of everything we’ve experienced disrupts our instinct to see it simply as “me.” Instead, it becomes detached from cognition, our inner voice, and understood as a vehicle we consciously navigate, an object we’ve been tied to since birth. From this perspective, our obsession with decorating and modifying the body feels slightly absurd, yet at the same time makes complete sense, since our bodies are also the medium through which we express our inner selves to the world.
Listening to this podcast really inspired me to rethink my relationship with my body (or “the body”), in ways I don’t usually consider. It made me feel like the minion from Megamind!
I love the connection to Megamind. Minion/Ol’ Chum uniquely experiences the world as a villain through his suit/body that Megamind produced for him. I agree with your point about viewing the body as a detached object, almost like a Christmas tree that we can decorate or a doll we can accessorize. Its interesting to view the body as a reflection of both our commercial interests (clothing, makeup, etc.), and our personal experiences.
During your first presentation, I remembered the concept of the body as a medium. This blog post has made me realize how the media has led us to impose many limitations on our bodies. Social media constantly feeds into our body image and appearance anxieties, perpetuating the notion that our bodies are imperfect and in need of improvement, and embracing popular aesthetics. This limitation is particularly prevalent in Asia. Whether it’s the media promoting Korean double-eyelid surgery or recommending Japanese weight-loss pills without side effects, these notions subtly influence our thinking.
Hi Saber,
I find your connections to real-life instances really important. I like how you describe these standards as “subtly influenc[ing]” our perceptions of our bodies. I completely agree; even if we disagree with these practices, their widespread adoption and their celebration in advertisements and social media can make us feel like we are incomplete without them.
Wow wow wow, I really enjoyed the care you guys put into the production of your podcast. Especially love the music choice, very eery, very creepy, very body. In terms of content, also love. I really connected with the comment that our bodies are so irreversibly mediated that sometimes it’s hard to tell if it belong to us anymore. Loved 10/10.
Thank you! The music choice is all thanks to Kim Chi : )
I just loved the concept of your podcast! It’s both philosophical and incredibly relevant to the way we’re experiencing our own bodies today. The way you introduced “disembodiment” first as dystopian, then as a critical tool to question what makes the body significant, was so engaging. It actually made me think about how much of our idea of “self” is already shaped through screens and data, even when we’re not aware of it. Your connection between “Body” and “New Media” was also really compelling. The notion of the body as media, something that’s constantly being redefined by technology, law, and culture, is so interesting and full of possibilities. I wish your podcast explored how people experience that mediation in their daily lives, like through filters, social media profiles, or even fitness trackers. The questions you’re asking, especially “is there such a thing as an authentic body?” are really powerful. They don’t have easy answers, which is exactly why they’re great for a podcast. I can easily imagine listeners reflecting on their own online selves as your team talks.
Thank you, Mio!
I really like how you stated that the body is “full of possibilities ”; I think in some sense it gives an optimistic outlook to a topic that can often bring anxiety. Analyzing filters, social media profiles, and fitness trackers is definitely a good way to expand this discussion. To add to that, I think it would be great if media theorists could analyze how beauty standards change so rapidly but unnoticeably at the same time.