"You can't judge a book by it's cover"... If I have to hear that one more time, I may vomit directly into my mouth.

I apologize in advance, this post doesn't have a whole lot to do with film, but it will address the latest phenomenon that's sweeping Youtube, and capturing the hearts of virtually every person all over the nation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Now, I'm not denying that Susan Boyle DOES in fact have talent. What bothers me is not the fact that a forty-something, unemployed woman from a small Scottish village, gets to have a stab at fame, and the opportunity to inspire millions of people all over the globe. What I find so unfortunate about the whole situation, is the very fact that she actually HAS talent is such a shock to her viewers. When I first watched the video, what struck me the most was that, I was watching a woman full of confidence and personality; not that I was watching an unattractive person who strangely enough possessed the ability to sing beautifully. Truthfully, I don't find Susan Boyle as terribly unattractive as the rest of the world obviously does. Her circumstances are certainly unfortunate, but despite those circumstances, she seems like a genuinely jovial and kind-hearted person. The thing that I find most detestable is that we've become a society that's so quick to embrace mediocrity, that a woman who doesn't look like no-talent Britney Spears, or the Pussycat Dolls, can ACTUALLY sing. When did looks become of prime importance over talent in North America, and globally, and why are the masses so shocked that a woman who looks like Susan Boyle does, can actually exhibit singing talent of any kind?

Perhaps if the ranks of the truly stupid people in the world tried to challenge themselves with anything beyond top 40 listening, they would see that looks don't necessarily translate into talent. Just look at the example of Antony, of Antony and the Johnsons. Now, I'm not saying he's unattractive, but he certainly doesn't possess the kind of attractiveness that the Justin Timberlakes or Brad Pitts of the world possess. With regards to talent and singing ability however, he's certainly not lacking there. He has one of the most unique voices I've heard in a long time, but would the world be shocked to find out upon looking at him that he has singing talent as well? The answer is likely yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXjk05UVpOw&feature=PlayList&p=5495E7708A9F9349&index=0&playnext=1