General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Revealed. [View all]The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)As far as what they are selling women as (which is why, as I have noted elsewhere, I don't buy their magazine).
I prefer women like Susan Polgar and magazines such as chess life. See here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024500020
Look at SI though. We have football players who are objects to be consumed - they can throw a ball. Hockey players are portrayed as objects who can slap a puck around (and there are women who call themselves puck bunnies who are all about those 'sexy' men and the violence they do on ice).
You think they show a lot of linebackers on the cover? No, they want the pretty boy quarterbacks - more objects to be consumed). The men on the covers are presented in a similar fashion as the women the only difference being in how they are portrayed as objects. One for his arm strength, another for their ability to hit a ball, etc and so on.
They don't show physics whizzes or great chess players (usually) or others who use their minds - they promote physical people.
I look at the covers of SI, as I did today on google images, and I don't see any man that represents me. I see eye candy, men who can make passes and block pucks, rich people, basketball stars, etc.
Which is just fine and dandy for those who read it. I don't think it is sexist or evil either way, it is simply a section of sports I don't care about. And swimsuit editions showcase the best of the best as well physically speaking.
SI just sucks IMHO but really, these ladies are no different than other folks to me I see on the covers.