DailySkew

DailySkew Interview with Dr. Richard Hoffman, Part I

Phone Interview with Richard Hoffman
01-01-2008

DailySkew: Happy New Year, Dr. Hoffman-

Dr. Hoffman: Oh, please call me Richard, you know me long enough.

DailySkew: All right, Richard. Thank you.

Dr. Hoffman: No problem.

DailySkew: Today, I'd like to speak with you about the cosmetic surgery, which gets a lot of buzz. In your professional opinion- yay or nay?

Dr. Hoffman: First of all, I'd like to define the term "self-image", because we hear that phrase tossed around a lot, don't we?

DailySkew: Yes, we do-

Dr. Hoffman: Well, it's a perception of how we believe we appear to others. So people who are happy with the way others see them, are much more likely to be self-confident, outgoing, and successful in work, social situations, dating, and- and just an overall high level of comfort in their relationships.

DailySkew: I see...

Dr. Hoffman: Yes, and those who are at the other end of the spectrum- those who are dissatisfied with their self-image tend to be awfully self-conscious, shy, inhibited, and less effective in these same types of situations.


DailySkew: Huh. So you're saying that if someone got breast implants or stapled her stomach, she can do better selling car insurance over the phone?

Dr. Hoffman: Actually, yes. Plastic surgery, which in itself is a general term anyway- let it be a cosmetic enhancement or reconstructive surgery- encourages and promotes a positive and strong self-image which translates into a major change on the personality. In fact, a small change on the outside transforms into an ever larger change on the inside of a person's subconscious psyche, which translates into climbing the healthy ladders of the Animalgram or Enneagram or Maslow's Pyramid.

DailySkew: Wow..it's hard for me to believe that, but-

Dr. Hoffman: Well, you don't have the field work, first of all. But I've seen numerous and numerous women- and even men- go through a small cosmetic or reconstructive procedure. And from what I've seen-without exception, mind you- is that these small changes greatly allow the self-confidence inside of a person to flourish. It truly is like a spiritual reawakening. You see, I truly believe that early on in our childhood, perhaps even at birth, that we create our own self-imprisonment. Many times, only with cosmetic surgery can we get back to the time in our lives when we truly felt confident and not self-conscious.

DailySkew: Whewwww....Okay, well, this is a lot to digest. Why don't you tell me how you fit in all of this?

Dr. Hoffman: Well, I pre-screen patients to make sure they are ready to undergo these procedures, so they can sign some forms for insurance purposes. I've been working with Dr-

DailySkew: Hold on, Richard- no name dropping please. I want everyone to be clear that this is not a sponsored advertisement.

Dr. Hoffman: Okay, okay, no problem.

DailySkew: Good.

Dr. Hoffman: Actually, it is a problem.

DailySkew: I'm sorry?

Dr. Hoffman: I thought you said that I can plug Dr-

DailySkew: NO!

Dr. Hoffman: Excuse me?

DailySkew: No, I'm sorry, this is an educational post ONLY.

Dr. Hoffman: Can I say it's out in California?

DailySkew: That's about it.

Dr. Hoffman: How about the e-mail?

DailySkew: I'm sorry, Richard, I have to go now...

Dr. Hoffman: What about my new book?

DailySkew: I'm sorry, I'll speak to you later. Thank you for you time.


Dr. Richard Hoffman is known for his work with the National Enneagram Council and founded the Animalgram Society. He has a PhD and Masters Degree from the University of Southern Fla. He was been a regular fictional contributor to the DailySkew.

Labels: buzz, health, misunderstood, parody, society

posted by Damian Hospital @ Tuesday, January 01, 2008