Topic 8- Technology and Media [1]

It’s typical for a new technology to be adapted within a culture and used to support existing patterns of behavior. With your own relevant examples, answer these questions.

What kind of culture influences through technology can you see from today’s world?

Plastic surgery can be tracked along the history all the way back in 2'000 B.C. It was mainly focused on reconstructing and repairing the body.

According to Wikipedia
Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is performed to correct functional impairments caused by:

-burns
-traumatic injuries, such as facial bone fractures
-congenital abnormalities, such as cleft lip, or cleft palate
-developmental abnormalities
-infection or disease
-removal of cancers or tumours, such as a mastectomy for a breast cancer, a head and neck cancer and an abdominal invasion by a colon cancer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_surgery

Physical appearance is highly influential and regardless of other positive qualities, looks give first impression. Beauty is highly sought after as people [with sight] prefers things with aesthatic qualities; not just in a person's looks, but also in art, architecture, and so on. With good looks, it is a plus, even in career.
Self-consciousness and yearning to change one's appearance at will creates a particular demand for such services.

With new tools and methods being developed, technology for plastic surgery is applied in cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is enhancement or maintenance of physical aesthetism. Since the 20th century, cosmetic surgery mushroomed throughout the U.S.A.. Throughout the world, people who can afford the service will turn to cosmetic surgery as easy way out.People in this fast-paced age want things as soon as possible or instantly. Even heavy weight sufferers opt for liposuction instead of adapting a heathier lifestyle to lose weight fast.

The number of cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States has increased over 50 percent since the start of the century. Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2007, with the five most common being breast augmentation, liposuction, nasal surgery, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty.The increased use of cosmetic surgery crosses racial and ethnic lines in the U.S., with increases seen among African-Americans and Hispanic Americans as well as Caucasian Americans. In Europe, the second largest market for cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery is a $2.2 billion business.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_surgery#Cosmetic_surgery

With more and more people undergoing cosmetic surgery, there'll be people with similar desired features, causing lack of uniqueness amongst individuals. If this goes on, inner beauty will shine after all; as looks does matter, but differences between individuals will rely on one's personality and capability.