8.16.2011

And I Think To Myself


Human skin is an organ. The biggest organ in the body, it comprises the dermis, the epidermis and a subcutaneous fatty layer. It it were to be removed intact and spread out it would cover an area just under two square meters. It has weight too: with all that protein and adherent fat, it has enormous bulk. The skin of a healthy adult male would weigh ten to fifteen kilos, depending on his size. The same as a large toddler.

The skin of a woman, on the other hand, would weigh marginally less. It would cover a smaller area too.

Most middle-aged men, even the ones who live alone in a remote part of London, wouldn't have given any thought to what a woman would look like without her skin. Neither would they have cause to wonder what her skin would look like stretched and pinned out on a workbench.

But, then, most men are not like this man.

This man is a different sort of person altogether.

4 comments:

gel said...

That's why I'm still a loyal follower of your blog. I enjoy philosophy and am, therefore, intrigued by what others "think", especially you! As far as my skin, well I'll tell you that I've often been told it's VERY soft. :)

Nate Sistern said...

Skinning things is really hard though. I never get it quite right. I end up with confetti rather than a nice pelt...

White Magpie said...

Gel: :)

Nate: Some are meant to skin; others just prim. Thank you for the visit.

Pixie said...

Interesting.