Schwarzenegger has no balls. (1170 hits)
Category: PoliticsLabels: liquid_mimetic_polyalloy
Rating: 1.6 on 33 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Redskieslookfake (View user info) at 2005-11-15 02:44:44 EST
The phenomenon of 'new man' has long been analysed. However, the concept of 'new cyborg' is a more modern discussion. The Terminator and its sequel are iconic films that carry a great number of subplots beneath the action. Jeffords pointed to these films as showing evidence for the changing perception of male imagery. In juxtaposing the two films, it is possible to see subtle differences that have wider implications than perhaps James Cameron realised.
Schwarzenegger portrays the Terminator in distinct styles in both films. The original film sees the Terminator as a relentless, violent, vulgar, merciless, relentless, tough, aggressive and remorseless killer. The film is centred around his power and ability to achieve whatever he desires, in this case the death of an innocent woman. The parallels to the feminist perspective of men that was prominent at the time are striking. The male image of the Terminator symbolises the violence inherent in the man. Sarah's lover Kyle explains that although he may look like a human, in fact there is nothing beneath his skin but a cold mission orientated killer, who will not stop, and could not stop until he'd succeeded in his task.
Terminator II however casts Schwarzenegger in a new role. Whereas before he was a relentless assassin who sought to bring about harm to Sarah and her unborn child, now he was the protective male sheltering his charges from a new more sinister threat, the T1000. Perhaps this change can be attributed to the freeing of his mind, when his chip is changed from 'Read only' to 'Read/Write capable?' Certainly, it marks a turning point in the film. The woman and child release him from his programming and allow him to behave in a manner that makes him appear so human that tears are shed when he finally is terminated himself.
After his update, he is a new machine, capable of learning. Comparison to the concept of new masculinity shows similarities. The new man is seen to be capable of learning, of acting in a way that is more pleasing to women. I would argue that this remoulding of the male image is a traumatic experience for men. Men are raised to consider themselves 'macho,' uncaring and strong. Boys are taught not 'to cry because you're a big boy.' They quickly learn that while a girl is expected to act in an emotional manner, they must delegitimise their emotions and relegate them to a private place in their mind where no one can be permitted to see them.
Militant feminists have argued that men should be castrated for their own good, so they can think with their minds instead of their balls. However, the feminist influence on society can be seen to have done this socially as opposed to physically. Where once Durkheim identified gender roles as 'equal but different' now men feel 'inferior and different.' Men no longer achieve as highly in the education system, traditional male jobs in manufacture are vanishing to be replaced, ironically, by machines. Male identity has been encroached upon by women who want whatever men have. Thus, sport is now an activity all members of society enjoy; women do have power and jobs. However, traditionally female activities are still female. Childbirth (however painful) demonstrates satisfactorily that raising the child can be done entirely by the woman, after the initial act.
Men are now alienated from their social role, their sense of identity has been eroded and replaced with a sense of cloying inferiority to the new, more equal woman. It could be argued that men are all potential rapists, just waiting for an opportunity, and that this anomic condition is nothing less than that imposed by malestream oligarchy for the last six thousand years. However, the traditional male does offer many things that a woman wants. Paglia argues that feminists are making a fundamental mistake in trying to feminise men. The concept of Taoist balance - the Ying and the Yang could be recognised as an effective metaphor. The two concepts are only relevant when both are together. There can be no soft woman without a hard man to balance it. The finale of Terminator II is the protector dispatching the threat to his charge and then saying 'I need a vacation.' Perhaps man needs to be there to perform unpleasant tasks while putting aside emotions such as mercy and pity. Society certainly benefits during times of war from the male ability to protect their country and ideals.
Considering this violence, is there a new masculinity? Certainly, men may perform in a different way, their social 'software' telling them to act like that. The Terminator questions in Terminator II 'Why?' he must not kill and act in the way that is natural to him - to which the young John can only shrug and say 'you just gotta.' The Terminator conforms because of blind obedience - he is programmed to obey. However, as Sarah observes, he is still a Terminator. The Terminator may appear to be caring and protective of John, playing with the child and displaying humour, however, his first reaction upon being threatened is still to shoot the problem.
On reflection, Jeffords suggestion that the Terminator usurps both family roles of father and mother can be seen to be true. Sarah makes no excuses for the upbringing of her child; she feels she had an obligation to ensure John grew up to be the warrior he needed to be. She urges him to put aside his feelings 'even for her' when he rescues her. Sarah clearly cares for John, however, the expressionless, emotionless machine is more demonstrative towards the boy who has never known a father.
I would argue this is a definite criticism of feminism, while the male identity is undermined, the female identity also degrades. Sarah, and women in general, find themselves unable to decide whether to be feminine and caring, or firm and warrior-like. Sarah recognises in her soliloquy in the desert that the Terminator could be seen to be the ideal father, protective, patient and willing to sacrifice his life for her son. Radical feminism seeks to eliminate this paternalistic instinct, something valid, indeed something very precious, the male drive to shield the ones he loves, laying down his life willingly for his family. I feel that elimination of this would be a tragedy. If the only reason to do so is to cry 'equality' and 'independence'.
User Reviews
Submitted by kaioken (user info) at 2007-02-01 10:09:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Very nice read. I was discussing men's role in society with a female co-worker the other day. Her basic stance...women can do anything and are complete equals but men are no good at raising children, emotional matters, etc. She also contended men dont deserve an equal chance for custody of their children or alimony during a divorce. She was ok with the fact she was being sexist/had a double standard so I told her to go make me a sandwich.
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2007-02-01 09:08:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
WHY DID YOU EVEN DO THIS????
Submitted by MandaPanda (user info) at 2006-05-06 23:15:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
...E...
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-03-20 08:05:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-11-15 09:35:47 (#)
Ranking: -1
That's because he ate steroids like I pop Cheez-Its.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-16 11:16:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by pantsarestupid (user info) at 2005-11-16 11:13:14 (#)
Ranking: 2
This has nothing to do with your post. Sorry. I just had to thank you for your music suggestions yesterday. The Arctic Monkeys are awesome and so are The Zutons. Thanks again.
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Cool. That's made me smile. A depressing summary on how dull my day has been. Take care.
Submitted by pantsarestupid (user info) at 2005-11-16 11:13:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This has nothing to do with your post. Sorry. I just had to thank you for your music suggestions yesterday. The Arctic Monkeys are awesome and so are The Zutons. Thanks again.
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2005-11-15 15:33:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
What about Terminator 3? Oh yeah, that's right... it sucked!
Submitted by zoobie2000 (user info) at 2005-11-15 11:10:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
very good probably a bit too high brow for my liking though
Submitted by firefly (user info) at 2005-11-15 11:09:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
No Comment
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-11-15 09:54:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
cool
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-11-15 09:35:47 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
That's because he ate steroids like I pop Cheez-Its.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 08:07:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by sinna (user info) at 2005-11-15 08:05:12 (#)
Ranking: 2
Perhaps some stories about drunkeness, students, amusement and annoyances as well?
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Hey, when in Rome. Since your audience will consist almost entirely of irritable pissheads (myself included) they'll probably work out.
I was thinking about watching that for the nostalgia, but I'm thinking phallic references may burst that little bubble.
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Unicron is a giant space minge. There can be no argument. Watch the first 2 or 3 minutes.
Submitted by sinna (user info) at 2005-11-15 08:05:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Perhaps some stories about drunkeness, students, amusement and annoyances as well?
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Hey, when in Rome. Since your audience will consist almost entirely of irritable pissheads (myself included) they'll probably work out.
I was thinking about watching that for the nostalgia, but I'm thinking phallic references may burst that little bubble.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:52:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by sinna (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:46:53 (#)
Ranking: 2
Jesus Red, you amaze me. How do you make a post based around the best Transformers, then you come out with something like this?! This is defiantly one of the best posts I've read here.
It's because of instincts that women love an arsehole (lucky for me, being a cunt). A sensitive man would be seen to be good to hung and watch Pretty Woman with, but it's the arseholes that can protect them and their children.
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Cheers Sinna - I like the variety I must say. I have a post nearly done about transformers the movie - it's x pages long however, so I'd probs have to serialise it, and to be perfectly honest, noone here can possibly have spotted quite so many phallic references in Transformers as me.
Perhaps some stories about drunkeness, students, amusement and annoyances as well?
Submitted by sinna (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:46:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Jesus Red, you amaze me. How do you make a post based around the best Transformers, then you come out with something like this?! This is defiantly one of the best posts I've read here.
It's because of instincts that women love an arsehole (lucky for me, being a cunt). A sensitive man would be seen to be good to hung and watch Pretty Woman with, but it's the arseholes that can protect them and their children.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:38:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:28:16 (#)
Ranking: 0
school papers huh?
how's that working out for ya?
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I posted some gold material on transformers, only noone else seems to regard it in quite the same high esteem as a school paper...
I do tend to reference in real life too. I have always felt that backing your arguments up was a good thing.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/76500 - at least if I want to avoid arrogance as my principal form of rhetoric. ;)
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:34:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:39:43 (#)
Ranking: 2
this sounds like the 20 fucking page paper I had to write on the Borg Queen
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I wanna read that, it sounds a lot funnier than it probably is.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-11-15 07:28:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
school papers huh?
how's that working out for ya?
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:41:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Aye.
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:39:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
this sounds like the 20 fucking page paper I had to write on the Borg Queen
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:37:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:31:29 (#)
Ranking: 2
I think I've figured out the fascination with Good Girl, it's just a charachter that people can feel superiour too.
I was going to say it takes time to form an emotional bond with someone, and usually it does, but then there's love at first sight. What's that all about? I mean I've suffered it's effects so it does happen but surely it shouldn't?
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Superior? I actually partially agree - there's a certain thrill in being the knowledgeable one, or in taking someone's innocence. Catholic school girls rule. (former Catholic school girls I mean - not continuing - would not be right for the janitor...)
Love at first sight. Hmm. Love at first sight could be lust masquerading as a 'higher' emotion. Pupils dilating and laughing at any joke. It is difficult to step back and watch the process. The ability to control that is one of the failings of intellect in my mind. Being self conscious and moving away from our 'baser' instincts. Are they base? Perhaps like colour they are more primary, from which other 'higher emotions' are mere shades, or subtle blendings.
Perhaps only platonic love is worthy of being called love?
Nah, I don't believe that at all. Love is tbe best and worst feeling.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:31:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I think I've figured out the fascination with Good Girl, it's just a charachter that people can feel superiour too.
I was going to say it takes time to form an emotional bond with someone, and usually it does, but then there's love at first sight. What's that all about? I mean I've suffered it's effects so it does happen but surely it shouldn't?
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:23:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Of course there are women who look for more but it's important to understand that usually when a woman is simply gauging a man for confidence then they aren't looking for an emotional bond as such. Perhaps they want a pretty accesory (such as that bird in the GoodGirl pic) or a generic and temporary companian for the sake of not feeling lonely. Basically it's when they want someone but don't particularly care who that someone is.
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Eye candy? - depressing that we are so superficial. On Uber, we can only be judged on our writing and thoughts - yet everytime someone 'camwhores' - it attacts massive interest. Why? Are we hoping your image of them will be the same as reality - aha - perfect woman/man! - Or perhaps so we can haul back the intellectual/emotional in favour of good old fashioned hormones.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 06:15:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well Red the point is that women favour strength, it's just a question of how strength is valued. Many women tend to favour confidence. Confidence is, however, not the best gauge of 'strength of charachter' as it is essentially bluff. We make a lot of the drive and will to succeed but without very real qualities such as wisdom and intelligence, and all the other things that make a good Elven Ranger, success will be limited.
Of course there are women who look for more but it's important to understand that usually when a woman is simply gauging a man for confidence then they aren't looking for an emotional bond as such. Perhaps they want a pretty accesory (such as that bird in the GoodGirl pic) or a generic and temporary companian for the sake of not feeling lonely. Basically it's when they want someone but don't particularly care who that someone is.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:59:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:46:23 (#)
Ranking: 2
I was taught the same anti-male rhetoric at school. Yet nowadays young men talk about their feelings as much, if not more, than women. There are still a great many young men putting themselves away than women though.
I reckon it's more complex than simple communication, I think the problem is preassure as well as isolation.
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I'm gonna make a case for biology as well. Much greater levels of testosterone and adrenaline -> feelings of anger/frustration/rage. Are more men dyslexic than women? Greater struggles with schooling (statistics tend to support this)
Men are torn in two directions - to be strong and dominant, as well as 'new man.' Yet, in my sad experience, women tend to go for a bastard over 'new man' much of the time. This is a sad fact, but is the similar to my tendency to pick women I am pretty certain will hurt me emotionally. No pain, no gain.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:56:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Red if that happened my life would be a lot easier. Same thing happened to me when I was hit on.
It's quite funny actually, she was a nutter. As in mentally ill. That's a funny, funny story which I must tell sometime.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:54:02 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Berty
Quite right. It's just easier for women/girls. The last lass who hit on me, I was so surprised that I just assumed that it made sense to 'hook up'. I don't regret it, but I'd have never hit on her if it had been my decision.
A call for more women to hit on men! Stop expecting us to make all the moves!
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:46:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I was taught the same anti-male rhetoric at school. Yet nowadays young men talk about their feelings as much, if not more, than women. There are still a great many young men putting themselves away than women though.
I reckon it's more complex than simple communication, I think the problem is preassure as well as isolation. Men are expected to lead in a relationship, they're expected to take the inititive in starting a relationship for example. Now this 'required dominance' has all sorts of hidden consequences that one would not consider, fidelity for one. Men don't cheat on their partners as much as women. I imagine I've stated the requirements for a man to cheat elsewhere but I shall regurgitate them for your pleasure. To cheat a man needs three things:
1) He must want to cheat
2) He must have a person present he wants to cheat on his partner with
3) Said person must aggree to cheat with him
Now all three of those have to be in alignment for a man to cheat. They can all change in the course of a day but they must all be true at the same time for a man to cheat. For a woman the requirements are a little different:
1) She is approached and offered an oppurtunity to cheat
2) She answers yes or no.
In other words the third requirement is removed and also the first two requirements are reassesed as soon as the question is popped as opposed to the man who must arrive at the decision via a more organic process. What happens next is simple statistics. When you throw in factors like alcohol it's no wonder that women cheat more often than men, it's simply a socially forced factor.
This is also the model by which relationships are formed, it's just easier for women. There was a great post written by a guy called Chronic which also summed up the recovery process from emotional trauma for men and women (I've paraphrased a little but this is the gist of it):
"women, once rejected, become vulnerable and unconfident which is an attractive charachteristic to men who desire to protect or use her. Essentially it puts them in the game for initiating a new relationship. A man doesn't have this luxory, he is vulnerable and unconfident which makes him unattractive to all women who desire strength above all other charachteristics."
Um... I think there's a point in there somewhere. I had to do a bit of work halfway through so I may have lost my thread a bit.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:22:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
What I reckon we'll see is a shift in the view of the female in films, women have long been cast as the emotional half of the human race but this is clearly not the case. In real life, most women rarely have to suffer the emotional hardship of men. This is reflected in suicide rates if nothing else, indeed it has always been this way.
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Don't agree on that - I'd say that the prime reason for the higher suicide rate of men is the inability of men to communicate their pain with the same ease as women. Women gossiping has the same calming effect as apes grooming one another. It's a sign of social solidarity. On the other hand I know men who find it impossible to discuss any emotion or issue more deep that whether Sol Campbell or Rio Ferdinand is the better player.
I certainly tend to sulk when annoyed and prefer to be on my own when I'm in a bad mood.
I think that is one of the primary benefits of this 'imasculation', the removal of isolation from male life. I wonder if males will start to look for more emotional relationships rather than physical ones. It would be interesting to see what happens to the nature of isolation in society, whether it will pass from males to females in equal part, become more common in women or decrease in general. In any case I think that if women want to look at the equality issue they have to look at the bad things in the masculine sphere as well as the good.
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Agreed. I do however think it is a shame that chivalery is now seen as a form of discrimination. But then I've been shouted at in the past for holding doors for both men and women other than my then partner. The argument seemed to be that it made it less special when I held a door for her.
Isolation is another issue - I'll probs post about it in the future
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:13:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I also wish we'd decimalise time. Bleeding part timers and their bullshit hours.
*grumble grumble*
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-11-15 05:12:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Men no longer achieve as highly in the education system, traditional male jobs in manufacture are vanishing to be replaced, ironically, by machines.
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I don't think that this is irony. Many industrial machines are made from steel and plastics (ha ha).
Seriously though, if we're going to use films comments on modern gender roles, I'd like to bring up Mark Rentons's monolouge in Trainspotting. In a nightclub he looks around and thinks that soon there will be no men and no women "just wankers. I think it's great." He's right to.
What I reckon we'll see is a shift in the view of the female in films, women have long been cast as the emotional half of the human race but this is clearly not the case. In real life, most women rarely have to suffer the emotional hardship of men. This is reflected in suicide rates if nothing else, indeed it has always been this way.
I think that is one of the primary benefits of this 'imasculation', the removal of isolation from male life. I wonder if males will start to look for more emotional relationships rather than physical ones. It would be interesting to see what happens to the nature of isolation in society, whether it will pass from males to females in equal part, become more common in women or decrease in general. In any case I think that if women want to look at the equality issue they have to look at the bad things in the masculine sphere as well as the good.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-15 04:14:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I actually fucked up an apostrophe in Jeffords - bollocks.
Submitted by FunnyAsCancer (user info) at 2005-11-15 03:29:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for helping me with my next essay.