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2011/08/01(月)
世界に挑戦！！！
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いよいよ、ギネスに挑戦だ！！！（笑）程度の低い日本のメディアが、世界1背の高い男ー確かモンゴルの人だった？、世界1背の高い女、このあいだは、世界1背の低い男性を紹介していた。記事によると、その人はフィリピンの障害者のようなのだ。だいたいこういう身長が異常？の人は、大半がホルモン異常による病気の人が大半なのでは。。それを、いちいち世界一とかなんとか取り上げて。。。記事を見るたびに気分が悪くなっていた。
長年、なんでギネスはこういうことを知りたいのか、世界中を回って植民地をつくり、変な”動物”がいるぞと、人間を見世物か、人類学者の傲慢な視点でしか見られない船乗りたちが、ロンドンのパブに集まって、ギネスビールを飲みながら、わはわは笑って話の種にする、白人植民地帝国主義の名残かと思っていたが、いよいよ行動に移すことにした（笑）それにしても、娘にすら言われた、お母さん、そういうことをしてもダメだよ。小人の人は、小人であることに誇りをもっているんだから。。世界一に誇りを持っているんだから。。。私は、それだけは、どうしても信じられない。。（悲）
Dear Editor,
I am a Japanese writer living in the US. A few years ago I founded a Japanese tall women's club to help make Japanese society more tolerant of and respectful toward tall women. In my research and writing, I have been investigating how societies treat tall and short people.
Like many people, I have always enjoyed your list of world records and have been amazed to see the various kinds of people and cultures represented among the record holders. Of course, the Japanese media loves to cover new world records and I have learned a lot from their coverage.
However, I have been wondering about one question. That is: why do we put so much emphasis on knowing who is the tallest or shortest man or woman in the world? In general, people cannot control their height, especially if it is due to a hormonal disorder or some other medical reasons. So, when the Japanese media reported that the shortest man in the world, in the Philippines, had become ill, I was saddened at the media attention.
Your world records cover types of human bodies, using such categories as Extreme Bodies, Body Beautiful. Against All Odds and many more. Some people CHOOSE to go to extremes, such as becoming the "most pierced woman" or growing the "longest hair", and I see no problem with learning about them and celebrating their achievement. However, do you differentiate between those who CAN make the choice to be number one, and those for whom their extremity is NOT their choice, and who may not appreciate the unwanted attention to an extremity they did not choose?
I would very much appreciate your letting me know your policies about world records in the Human Body category.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Takako Day
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