I watch a few TV shows and movies on Hulu, on my computer. Nine years ago, when we began our life together, Roderick and I chose to live without television. I find advertizing rather invasive. From what I have seen when I visit houses with television, it has not changed.

Like any media business, Hulu must generate income. Fortunately, the ads are extremely short, yet useless and bizarre products manage to find their way onto the screen and to make me question this human race, our concerns and priorities.

Two things are sold with every product: The product itself and the belief that certain circumstances or conditions exist that must be remedied. Statistics usually establish the need. 85 % of people will begin losing their hair by age 20. The large percentage is so impressive, and so immediately accepted as an indication of significance, that we rarely question what is actually being said. What about the 15 % who will not lose their hair? Of how many hairs are we talking? People lose hair every single day. Is it automatically a problem because of this sudden statistic? Some believe and insist that there should never be more than about 20 hairs on my brush each week. I have lost more than that each day, for over 25 years, and I am not anywhere near bald!

The latest “gadget” is a prescription solution that promises to grow longer, thicker and darker lashes. What is the underlying message? That having short, light, sparse eyelashes is a condition, one that requires a remedy. It is not merely special, thickening mascara that is supposed to do the trick anymore; one needs the Big Rx. Is not a prescription for a medical condition? Since when are the normal eyelashes we are born with a condition? How important is this, really?

Indeed, how important is it to be so absorbed with our bodies that we spend millions in research and purchases to create and acquire products that promise to overcome physical traits that are, in reality, normal? Someone who lost an arm might benefit from the research and equipment that provide an artificial limb, but what is accomplished by thickening eyelashes or preventing normal hair loss?

What of the fear of these unrealistic conditions? We suffer from a great lack of self-esteem in this culture. It probably does not matter how intelligent we are. Repeat the message that normal hair and lashes require medication and before too long even the best-grounded person may lose sight of reality and feel less than perfect.

I do not believe I have ever seen an advertizing campaign to promote self-acceptance, not a product, not a condition and not focus on imaginary flaws, just a plain acknowledgement that perhaps we are just ok as we are. The things we invent to attain perfection only lead to a greater desire for perfection; desire for perfection leads to the belief that it is not there already. But it is.

There is great perfection in a body that manages to balance on two feet and manipulate and transform its surroundings, build shelter, produce food, create art and music, hold a child, love an animal, build a community, learn languages and skills and grow in wisdom and acceptance. All of this is accomplished from the center of our minds and the cooperation of our physical structure. No funny pill or ointment is required.

Slainte!