Transparency and selfhood: Utopia and the informed body.
One aspect of the development of a health-orientated consumer culture is the growth of self-screening and self-diagnosis among the lay public--e.g. over-the-counter diagnostic tests, computerized health assessments. DIY genetic tests. This trend is interpreted as the expression of a distinctively postmodern 'utopian' impulse. Postmodernity's inwardly directed gaze has replaced the communitarian vision of modernity. In the absence of overarching visions, the postmodern utopian telos becomes the attainment of a perfect. imperishable body. Somatopia is the collective expression of these privatized and personalized body projects. The accomplishment and authentication of these body projects necessitates the creation of a 'transparent body'. This 'transparent body' is enabled and constructed by developments in information and medical technologies. The political and health implications of the transparent, 'informed' body are explored.
Chrysanthou
Marc
M
School of Community, Health Sciences and Social Care, University of Salford, UK. m.chrysanthou@salford.ac.uk
D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001828:Body Image; D030861:Capitalism; D003256:Community Participation / Q000639:trends*; D003469:Culture; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000639:trends; D012648:Self Care; D012962:Sociology, Medical / Q000639:trends*; D014601:Utopias; D019366:Western World