If we were to think of something that is a staple for our generation, like the twenties with their parties and flapper style, or the sixties and the hippie movement, ours would be social media. Whether we like it or not, it’s become an essential part of our everyday life, up to the point that we basically lead a fragmented or double life. What we share, either voluntary or involuntary, goes through a complex selection process in which we mold our lives, or at least the bits of that life we want the digital world to see. Now, this may sound elaborate and a bit upsetting. However, it’s just a magnified feature of the human being. We’ve gone through that same process for ages. It’s just that the Internet has proven to be a better medium to do so. Our best ally and most effective weapon are photographs, and to be more precise, our beloved selfies.
This photographic technique used by almost everybody is way more powerful than we think and holds way more importance. Just think about the usage we make of them. They are the means through which we portray who we are, or at least, how we want people to see us. They’ve also become our way to prove we’ve been to special places, that we’ve met important people, or in the most intimate way, they are mirrors that reflect a private part of ourselves. What started as a simple and silly trend has now become an essential part of our social behavior, at least according to James Franco.
In a short essay he wrote for the New York Times he talks about his personal use of Instagram, an app he considered himself addicted to, and how he’s come to be named the king of selfies for his excessive use of the technique. But, in his words, the main reason of us wanting to self-document every aspect of our lives, is not really something we like hearing, despite it being true. We take selfies because we seek attention. Displaying our lives through photographs is the easiest and most comfortable way to get the attention we seek. But don’t worry, it’s not as depressive as it sounds, at least in most cases. According to the actor, this attention has proven to be a powerful tool around which the world revolves. It’s no secret that business has moved into this medium, leading to several Insta-celebrities making a living from posting photos and videos. It’s just how the world works today for artists, businesses, and people in general.
So, there lies the core of the selfies: they’re the tool to sell an image, regardless of the purpose. They present the public with a taste of your intimate life they wish to see. After all, we are voyeuristic by nature, and social media has become our way to express and satisfy that craving. Moreover, as James Franco states, selfies have become a form of communication that’s proven to be more effective than words.
So, summing up, what’s the importance of the selfie in our current life? It’s become our essential way of communicating in a more direct way. It’s our way to show others who we are and what kind of life we’re leading. It’s also, a way to construct an image of ourselves according to our affinities and tastes, as well as how we want to be perceived. Yes, it can be a matter of vanity and narcissism. But, to be honest, that’s how we work as a species. Selfies are the mirror of this particular society that seeks a personal identity and individualism.
Source:
The New York Times