# Attention whore or social commentator (Obese photographer)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251 "2013-05-13T18:25:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/101 "2013-05-15T02:56:07Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > This is a brilliant project, both as art and as social commentary. Like I said, I think the idea is interesting, and it’s definitely a worthwhile project. I just don’t like her execution. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/102 "2013-05-15T04:36:35Z")
> [@Zulema](#): > > As far as being a size 14, she could be depending on where she shops. I recently lost weight and went from a size 18 jeans to size 16. I always wear the same jeans so I can go to the store and grab a pair without trying them on. I threw away all my 18 jeans and wanted some more 16 jeans. I accidentally bought 14 jeans and because of a design change they were larger than the 16 jeans I already owned. So, this manufacturer is now making size 14 jeans that are similar to the size 18 jeans from one year ago which are probably the same as size 20 jeans from 10 years ago. This is known as vanity sizing. [Vanity sizing - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_sizing) I agree she’s doing it for publicity. Love it or hate it, now you’ve heard of her. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/103 "2013-05-15T04:42:00Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I agree she’s doing it for publicity. As opposed to most other artists, who hope their work nets them lots of… what? Hot dogs? Fresh hamster bedding? I mean, that’s not even really a criticism, is it? Of course she hopes her works brings attention to this social issue that she cares about. Somehow I don’t think she’s gonna make a whole lot of money off “People Who Mock Me” 2014 calendars. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/104 "2013-05-15T11:43:23Z")
> [@colander](#): > > As opposed to most other artists, who hope their work nets them lots of… what? Hot dogs? Fresh hamster bedding? > > I mean, that’s not even really a criticism, is it? Of course she hopes her works brings attention to this social issue that she cares about. Somehow I don’t think she’s gonna make a whole lot of money off “People Who Mock Me” 2014 calendars. You’ll love the Kickstarter I have planned for a similar calendar of reaction shots. I’m going to dress like a Monty Python gumby, block traffic, and totally expose the horrible discrimination faced by people who dress like gumbies and block traffic. Save some outrage for me. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/105 "2013-05-15T12:01:12Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > This is known as vanity sizing. [Vanity sizing - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_sizing) > > I agree she’s doing it for publicity. Love it or hate it, now you’ve heard of her. And quite as quickly will forget her ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/106 "2013-05-15T12:02:24Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > And quite as quickly will forget her Forget who? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/107 "2013-05-15T13:38:16Z")
I _always_ carry fresh hamster bedding when I go to Boston, just in case I see a street performer I really enjoy. Don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/108 "2013-05-15T14:07:00Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > You’ll love the Kickstarter I have planned for a similar calendar of reaction shots. I’m going to dress like a Monty Python gumby, block traffic, and totally expose the horrible discrimination faced by people who dress like gumbies and block traffic. Save some outrage for me. I’m sure that would be very random and thus hilarious. If only you could fit Terry Pratchett in there somewhere. Then you’d have a double hilarity. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/109 "2013-05-15T14:32:49Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > You’ll love the Kickstarter I have planned for a similar calendar of reaction shots. I’m going to dress like a Monty Python gumby, block traffic, and totally expose the horrible discrimination faced by people who dress like gumbies and block traffic. Save some outrage for me. On the MIT campus is the McGovern Institute for Brain Research. I’ve been so tempted to do a gumby costume for Halloween and go in there. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/110 "2013-05-15T14:44:00Z")
She seems young and self involved and lacking in self awareness except to the extent that she sees herself as an innocent victim of societal prejudices. An unfortunate characteristic of her generation to exploit the social interwebs: “Look at me everybody, I’m different! - But don’t judge me, it’s not my fault.” I guess that’s my vote for “attention whoring”. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/111 "2013-05-15T14:46:40Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Are you seriously trying to tell me that, for example, the police officer just happened to be coincidentally holding his hat over her head? In that picture, the way she is dressed and standing and given the fact that a photographer was taking her picture, I could see the police officers thinking that she is handicapped and putting the hat on her head intended as a nice gesture. In all of the pictures, I think her dress and the way she carries herself has more to do with any reactions (I really didn’t see an obvious reactions) than anything else. She looks like an adult handicapped person. It isn’t unusual for people to look at someone who is different. For the girl on the pole with hand on stomach… that looked like a typical bored teen waiting on traffic with hand down front of skirt for lack of anywhere else to hang it. I don’t think the publisher is so much an attention whore as just in need of a make over and maybe a bit paranoid? I too am sorry that I hit the linked article. I’d rather not encourage such dribble in publications. ETA: and the hypothyroidism… please, if it is treated it is no longer an excuse and it rarely accounts for more than 10% of body weight ( [http://www.thyroid.org/weight-loss-and-thyroid/](http://www.thyroid.org/weight-loss-and-thyroid/) ) so that is just hogwash. Her biggest problem is probably depression, something that can also be treated. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/112 "2013-05-15T15:15:34Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > In that picture, the way she is dressed and standing and given the fact that a photographer was taking her picture, I could see the police officers thinking that she is handicapped and putting the hat on her head intended as a nice gesture. what the ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/113 "2013-05-15T16:15:09Z")
This woman is an asshole. Who stands still in the middle of a busy crosswalk with a camera on her and accuses people who look in her direction of fat-shaming? The only thing she needs to be ashamed of is her shitty behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/114 "2013-05-15T16:39:02Z")
> [@babygoat666](#): > > This woman is an asshole. Who stands still in the middle of a busy crosswalk with a camera on her and accuses people who look in her direction of fat-shaming? The only thing she needs to be ashamed of is her shitty behavior. That’s what I wanted to say. I feel like observers and people inconvenienced by what appears to be a fashion shoot or news story expect to see fashion or news. The camera is capturing at worst puzzled looks by observers confused by the project. I don’t discount her feelings if she’s felt victimized or judged at times, but when you stop traffic and pose for a camera you are asking to be considered and/or judged. This is shamelessly contrived. A hidden camera, mic, and performing ordinary tasks instead of posing would be an honest attempt to gauge public sentiment. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/115 "2013-05-15T18:24:56Z")
> [@Troppus](#): > > That’s what I wanted to say. I feel like observers and people inconvenienced by what appears to be a fashion shoot or news story expect to see fashion or news. The camera is capturing at worst puzzled looks by observers confused by the project. I don’t discount her feelings if she’s felt victimized or judged at times, but when you stop traffic and pose for a camera you are asking to be considered and/or judged. This is shamelessly contrived. A hidden camera, mic, and performing ordinary tasks instead of posing would be an honest attempt to gauge public sentiment. I agree. I don’t think people are engaged in ‘fat shaming’ behavior in these photos. What I think would be much more significant is if you had photos of a conventionally-attractive model, wearing the same fugly clothes/poses/scrunched-up faces and compared the reactions of passers by. If there was significantly more gawking in her photos, then she could make the claim that people gawk at her because she’s fat. I think anyone could wear unflattering clothes, unkempt hair, stand hunchbacked and pigeon toed and get the same curious looks. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/116 "2013-05-15T18:32:37Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > In that picture, the way she is dressed and standing and given the fact that a photographer was taking her picture, I could see the police officers thinking that she is handicapped and putting the hat on her head intended as a nice gesture. First of all, huh? But I think I get what you’re saying, that the police officers wouldn’t jump in her picture without asking first. They probably thought they were making the picture better by being funny. That said, she definitely gives off a “handicapped adult” vibe and her experiment falls flat on its face because of it. When you’re trying to gauge a reaction to one part of yourself, you don’t go out and purposely play up another part of your appearance that would actually _ **cause** _ people to stare. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/117 "2013-05-15T18:37:00Z")
> [@YourAdHere](#): > > Regarding the girl in the half shirt touching her stomach: > To me that just seems like a semi automatic reaction. She saw a camera or an obese woman and immediately checked on the status of her own exposed stomach because she probably works to have it in a shape where she can expose it like that and is constantly mindful of it. Like how if you saw someone with messed up hair you might subconsciously fix your own hair, or if you saw someone with bad posture you might suddenly be aware of your own. > Also maybe she saw the camera and is covering up out of fear others will think she’s fat. Having read her description of hearing a “slap slap slap” and seeing where the girl was smacking, I do that when I’m having period cramps on my lower belly and need to go get ibuprofen NOW; it helps, specially when my hands are cold. I promise it’s completely unrelated to anybody within a thousand miles of my aching uterus. The Spanish gesture for “fat person” is higher up, between navel and ribs. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/118 "2013-05-15T18:51:05Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Having read her description of hearing a “slap slap slap” and seeing where the girl was smacking, I do that when I’m having period cramps on my lower belly and need to go get ibuprofen NOW; it helps, specially when my hands are cold. I promise it’s completely unrelated to anybody within a thousand miles of my aching uterus. oh, okay! i bet that’s totally all it w- > [@](#): > > The Spanish gesture for “fat person” is higher up, between navel and ribs. suddenly your explanation becomes unconvincing ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/119 "2013-05-15T18:57:47Z")
😕 Why? The pic was taken in Spain. If that girl was making an “oh my god what a fat woman” gesture, she’d be holding her hand higher up as if starting to draw a belly’s curve, rather than slapping her lower belly. And by the standards of the location where that pic was taken (I’m next town from it and can tell you which is the nearest subway station to that spot), there are a lot of things which can attract attention to her appearance, including her coloring and clothes. By coloring I mean glow-in-the-dark white and the kind of blonde which here is seen only in foreigners or very young children. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/120 "2013-05-15T19:38:54Z")
> [@](#): > > …there are a lot of things which can attract attention to her appearance, including her coloring and clothes. By coloring I mean glow-in-the-dark white and the kind of blonde which here is seen only in foreigners or very young children. This is what I was referring to in my original comment. The woman is very pale, particularly in a place with mediterranian complexions. It would be like if a white person took a bunch of photos of themselves in Kingston and tried to use it to show how people judged her because she’s white :rolleyes: . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251.md?page=7)