Connor’s Conundrums

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A Mirror

Posted by Connor on July 25th, 2007

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What would it be like to have never seen yourself? How would life be different without a reflection? Would we see ourselves differently? How would we dress? Would we spend our time and money on cosmetics and such superficiality?

It’s stunning to realize that some people have never seen themselves before. How would you, having lived in a remote African village without any mirror or shiny surface with which to see your own face?

A mirror changes things. Like the (anonymous) quote goes, “When man found the mirror, he began to lose his soul.”

Perhaps that’s why Africans have such valiant, vibrant souls.

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4 comments so far. Care to chime in?

Interesting questions. Someone once told me that if you never looked into another mirror again you would forget what you looked like. I am not sure if that is 100% true but I could see where it could be.

It would be interesting to research into this more and especially tie it into the social aspects of this. Consider someone who never sees themselves in a mirror, how does their environment affect them? If they see a certain style of dress do they follow that?

Mirrors serve their purpose in our modern, Westernized lifestyles, but what would everyone do if one day we woke up and all the mirrors were gone? (I wouldn’t mind that because I feel it would bring out more genuineness in people.)

#1 Mark Mathson on July 26th, 2007

The most frequently asked questions from YCL’s at girls camp:

“Do you have a mirror?”

I’ve never been reliant on mirrors, or practices that require them (i.e. make-up) because I figure no news is good news. But I’ve been around people that don’t possess that apathy cleverly disguised as confidence, and they can’t function without the approval that a mirror provides on some level, I suppose. They then allow other people to become their mirror with questions like, “Does my hair look ok?” The girls I’ve worked with in the past have relied on other people to be the determining factor on whether or not they were going to be content in their own skin that day. It really makes me wonder if mirrors are a useless hindrance that, from where I’m standing, the sisters are better off without.

Excellent post as always, Connor

#2 Paradox on July 28th, 2007

Can they not see their reflection in water?

#3 Dustin Davis on August 2nd, 2007

Can they not see their reflection in water?

What water…? I guess you’re right, those who have access to large containers of water can see their (murky) reflection, though water is scarce in villages and often not saved in large quantities.

#4 Connor on August 2nd, 2007