The article "Staring At the Other" brought up a concept that I had never thought about before. With the advancement of digital media we have access to a seemingly endless supply of photos, including ones displaying people with physical abnormalities. With these images on our computers or other devices, the viewer is able to engage in virtual staring. This basically entails the viewer to be able to stare at the image without the social repercussions that may ensue had the staring taken place face to face. What got me thinking is this; yes obviously staring at someone in public, especially one who is considered "disabled", is seen as rude. But is this "virtual staring" seen as just as unacceptable? In my mind it is just as bad if not worse. In staring at these "weird" or "crazy" pictures we are trying to build our own selves up by telling ourselves that at least we aren't freaks like those in the pictures. In addition, virtual staring seems cowardly because the viewer probably looks at these pictures at home or somewhere where they will not be frowned upon by others.
I've definitely been a participant in virtual staring. After reading this article, however, I now realize how low and rude even doing that is.
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