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Even the digital cameras you bought [claim to] make you slimmer in the post-processing. Of course, it is deceiving only to yourself and not at all to others who take one look at your picture and think, yeah! right. Of course, it might fool those guys surfing the matrimonial sites but then almost all pictures on those sites are studio shots. Unless they plan to live in the studio after the wedding or the poor guy is blind, I am not sure whom are they trying to fool. And the guys frankly haven’t asked for a slimmer version of you anyway.
Now, the retail stores are jumping in the ring to take advantage of this slim-fad. Nope, they aren’t partnering with Slim Fast Diets or stocking only small size clothing. They are going a step further, as alleged by MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk, by using distoring mirrors in changing rooms. And without a “objects may appear thinner than they actually are” warning. We would be spared of all the seven dwarf jokes if Snow White’s step mother should have had one of these.
Marks and Spencer is the object of his attack and although the claim hasn’t been verified yet, there is a good chance he might be on the mark. It makes business sense as it plays to the vanity of the customer and brings forth the hidden desire to be thin thus leading to a sale of their product. “Does this dress make me look fat” is a trick question that has claimed many men and this mirror might be the perfect man for women who keep asking that question in spite of knowing the answer.
However, the tendency to preen in front of a mirror or to admire your reflected image isn’t restricted to women alone. Lawrence Lessig in his book, Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace mentioned an interesting incident on architecture of control.
A large hotel in an American city received many complaints about the slowness of its elevators. It installed mirrors next to the elevator doors. The complaints ended.
I don’t see why Marks and Spencer shouldn’t pander to the guilty sentiments of women. Of course, it is deceptive advertising but if it spares us the ignominy of answering that dreaded question, so be it. Next time, we can simply point to the mirror and tell her, ask him.
by Patrix | on Saturday, February 17th, 2007 at 10:01 am | 
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