Question

3. Bozzone distinguishes her position from others by saying people
have certain things that benefit them in their environments. She
compares and talks about La DaVinci.
Contrary to La DaVinci's vision of a perfect body, the author uses the
example of Vitruvian Man to show that is not the perfect body. She
uses that example to show people are unique, and have their own
special abilities. (Give some examples of that person's
imperfections and explain how they used them to excel). Another
example the author uses is Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer,

Answer 1

You’re right: Bozzone uses da Vinci’s Vitruvian ideal to show that “perfect” proportions aren’t the point — real bodies deviate, and those deviations often become strengths. Examples of “imperfections” and how people turned them into advantages:

- Deviant limb proportions (longer arms/wingspan)
- Michael Phelps: his wingspan is several inches longer than his height, he has a long torso and relatively short legs, big hands/feet and unusually flexible (hypermobile) ankles. Those traits aren’t the Vitruvian ideal, but they helped him: longer reach and bigger “paddles” increase stroke length and propulsion; a long torso improves buoyancy and streamlining; ankle flexibility gives a more effective kick — all combine to reduce drag and raise speed.

- Asymmetry or nonstandard ratios (shorter legs / longer core)
- Example: a swimmer or rower with a long torso and shorter legs will sit higher in the water and convert upper‑body strokes into more forward motion — a “flaw” for da Vinci’s symmetric ideal that becomes a hydrodynamic advantage.

- Smaller stature / low center of gravity
- Lionel Messi: his relatively short stature and low center of gravity are departures from an athletic “ideal” of tall limbs, but they give exceptional balance and quick changes of direction, making him harder to dispossess.

- Compact size plus hyperflexibility
- Simone Biles: her compact, highly muscular body and extreme joint flexibility let her generate enormous rotational speed and control in the air — traits that look “non‑ideal” against classical proportions but are exactly what elite gymnastics requires.

- Sensory or developmental “imperfections” turned into strengths
- Historical examples like Beethoven (hearing loss) show how an apparent deficit can redirect perception and inventiveness — not a physical perfect body, but a refocusing of ability that produced exceptional work.

The point Bozzone makes: deviation from an abstract “perfect” form isn’t a defect in practice — unique proportions and quirks often become the very tools people use to excel.