The Black Swan and Human Perfectionism Essay

Perfect: adj. \ˈpər-fikt\ 1. Entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings, is the first definition you find on dictionary.com for the word (perfect). Is this actually possible to attain? Has anyone actually ever been perfect? Or is it all in the eye of the beholder? These questions are asked by almost every girl, as we dream to one day reach the unattainable. This is especially true at the tender age of fifteen, where nothing seems to be going right with our bodies and everything is changing in us. This poem stresses the fact that as everyone realizes how unrealistic this dream is, the knowledge makes no difference to the wish. Marisa de los Santos comments on this in her poem “Perfect Dress”. The use of verbose imagery,

By looking at Benjamin Franklin’s use of metaphor in comparing the attempt at perfection in a human to that in an axe, it is evident that he believes perfection is a laborious task, which proves that, in explaining the difficulty of fulfillment, he is attempting to persuade people to adhere to his lifestyle, as it will produce the desired results. Benjamin Franklin, throughout his life, wrote many articles about his ideas regarding the achievement of perfection in all aspects of life. Immediately succeeding one such article, he explains the difficulty of obtaining said superiority by using the metaphor of a man grinding a speckled axe upon a stone repeatedly to make its surface flawless before conceding that an imperfect axe is easier to attain and therefore best.. To illustrate the cause of the man’s failure, Franklin says that “...this may have been the case with many who, having, for want of some such means as I employed, found the difficulty of obtaining good... have given up the struggle, and concluded that a speckled axe was best…” He states that many people who do not have the instruments for perfection that he himself wields, have found that obtaining it is too challenging, which leads to capitulation.

Perfection? Can any one person be perfect? Benjamin Franklin believed that he could accomplish this task. Benjamin Franklin was known for being a cognizant and diligent perfectionist. During his lifetime, many people were concerned with correcting themselves of any fault that they may have had. Benjamin Franklin did have an interesting way to proclaim how he, could show everyone how to be perfect. He believes that he can make himself perfect. Even though his ways of being perfect are not the same as everyone else's ideas, he still tries to show them he can be perfect. In his essay "Arriving at Perfection" Benjamin Franklin tries to tell everyone how he will be perfect and how he is going to actually accomplish this task.

In the piece “The Birthmark” it is impossible and foolish to try to reach perfection. Because we all have been stamped with the imperfections of nature when Adam and Eve took a bite from the tree in the garden of Eden…..

From the time children are entered into preschool, they are expected- for the most part- to do their best and be proud of it. One child’s best could be another child’s worst, and that other child’s best could be totally impossible for the first child. If everyone is doing their version of the best work possible, then could perfection ever possibly be achieved? It is a generally accepted truth that the answer to this question is an obvious and resounding no. By definition, a perfect human does not exist. However, humans are constantly striving towards this goal despite their knowing that it is impossible. The constant striving brings people closer and closer to the impossible goal but leaves them just shy of reaching it. This close-but-not-quite-there ending means a life that it is almost perfect. A life almost straight.

When you strive for perfection, failure is inevitable. Some things are unattainable, and a perfect appearance

Jonathan Edwards in his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry G-d,” proposes one very significant question. What can man do to achieve perfection? Edwards states that:

Society experienced to achieve perfection in many ways, almost since the beginning of humanity, and is almost impossible so many attempts fail and cause severe consequences. In “the perfect match” by Ken Liu, short story and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, short story. Perfection is people ignoring what really matter. People are not unique anymore because society is limiting with an idea of what is not accepted or normal is not perfect. Societies’ desire of perfection makes people go desperate and feel alone.

Is there such a place where ideal perfection exists? Can our views on social, political, and moral issues ever concur with one another? The answer to these questions is simple - no. The world we live in today is full of social, political, and moral imperfections that hinder our ability to live a life free of evil. In Ursula LeGuin's The Lathe of Heaven, this imperfect lifestyle is the foundation on which the desire for a utopian society sits. The American Heritage Dictionary defines reality as the totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence . For George Orr, the protagonist in the novel, his dreams actually become reality. Through his gift of effective dreaming,

The difficulty associated with perfection is first seen during the plays opening when Sam is teaching Willie how to perform the quickstep

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. The clock ticked as time was running out for her to perform her floor exercise. The pressure to perform the perfect routine was high. She completed to the best of her ability, but failed to meet perfection. In the Olympic Games, perfection is symbolized by the gold medal. She is an excellent gymnast that had trained for years, but she could not reach perfection on the floor exercises as expected by society. Society has always had those who judge and criticize based on what others flaunt. Perfection to society in the Olympics is the highest degree of proficiency, skill, and excellence. Perfection is not something to be sought after as it establishes unreasonable standards, creates an obsession, and can create deeper insecurities.

Nothing can be added to that perfection. Only man has potential. God gets His existence only from Himself and owes such to no other being because He is the original cause of all things, including Himself.

Perfection is impossible. There is no one in the world who has not failed at least a hundred times. However, the hard part is learning from that failure and growing from it. People tend to bury their failures and try to hide them almost like a time capsule, hidden inside for a long time until someone finds it again. They are afraid of someone finding that time capsule and expecting treasures and spoils, but to be disappointed to only find worthless failures. We view failure as something that is worthless and disappointing and see success as a treasure. We expect something good out of anything we’ve worked so hard for and are returned with disappointment, as we can’t always succeed . We need to learn to realize is that failure is good and allows you to achieve success, if you let it be a learning experience. You need to overcome the fear of failure, persist your way through challenges, and know where you want to be in the end.

“Perfection is a matter of opinion within an individual’s eyes (Unknown).” Most of my peers take one look at me and instantly thinks “oh she is a genius” or “she’s a nerd”; however, I am not. I am not naturally smart, and far from perfect. To get to where I am today, was pure studying and working extremely hard, as my parent’s call me a workaholic. Although, I am fairly well succeeded in two courses, I also have difficulties within other subjects, such as: Reading, Writing, Spanish, and History. Everybody assumes that because I am ranked 5th, means I know everything.

Perfection is a godlike attribute in which many strive for, but often many fail. Looking into the way of Buddha, he has reached this state of perfection and enlightenment on his own, not through a higher power. In many ways he fulfills the attributes to be a God, though, there are also numerous differences that do not suggest he is like a God. Buddha is claimed by many to be a teacher of the Gods.