mirror. mirror.
By Robere Lett | Publisher | Style Editor
Mirror, Mirror on our wall whose the fairest of them all? So I am seeking the answer this pivital question. How do we see ourselves? In a selfie self-obsessed world often devoid of real human connection, are we placing too much emphasis on what other people think of us? With the invention of the first camera back in 1839 photography has played an immeasurable part of society. Photography as a whole has captured our lives both personal and professional, giving us memories and a way to tell, and retell our history. Photography has paved the way for us to see life on many levels. Both artistically and journalistically; and in so allowing us an inroad to other worlds and other cultures through someone else's eyes.
During the early period of the 1900's the self-portrait was introduced and through many advances and several years later, photography along with cameras became more user friendly, compact and portable remember the Polaroid craze of the '60s and '70s (well maybe not) they were lightweight, easy to handle, but not yet perfect for a selfie. The word Selfie was coined during the nineteen nineties, first being embraced by the Japanese culture “kawaii” (cute) base on the self-expression (usually females) who were obsessed with their beautification from a photographic sensibility. By the 2000s the predominance of the selfie culture was in full bloom and as of today is only getting stronger.
The invention of "Reality TV" another visual way to delve into the personal lives of others as a voyuristic fly on the wall created a premise where by indiviuals lives could be laid bare for the whole world to devour. A new stylized opportunity to see people at their absolute worst, via screaming matches and full blown fights became one desired form of television viewing. Now with the internet, reality tv and the galvanization of what's real and what's preception it’s become even more muddled. The new and ever changing outlets such as Instram & FaceBook live, TikToc and countless other I haven’t heard of or have yet to discover are driving peoples self expression. The need to be liked, followed or commentented on by others who are searching the internet for the same distractions.
We are drawn in and led to what is considered the fun and seemingly harmless exploits of other, but we also see the negative, hateful, derogatory meanspirited comments, cyberbullying, excessive filtering of images along with catfishing (where a person creates a fake identity on a social platfrom, usually targeting a specific victim for abuse or fraud). Accepted, indorsed, and monetized, Millenials see this as a way of building a career and income. How many YouTubers and media influencers are driving $100,000 cars and living in mansions. Think Kylie Jenner. I asked myself these questions as the quarantine and uncertainess of this pandemic lingers, and with more and more idle time to deep dive into the vast black hole of the internet.
Going back to my question "How do we see ourselves"? The world now seems to be predicated on many things, but a lot has to do with the staggering growth of social media, reality television news, and the YouTuber celebrity fame game. We all know the many forms of social media from Instagram to Facebook and the others in between all pleading for you to join in what some are saying has led us down a path of narcissistic behavior and a self-absorbed mentality. Let's face it, (pun intended) there is a sense of narcissism when looking at yourself constantly and anticipating that others will do the same, and that self-aggrandizement has now become the “NORM” but is it really normal or healthy for our mental state of being.
There is a medical term Selfie Obsession or Selfie Disorder a condition whereby a person has the obsessive need to take and post self-images to a social media platform. Some Psychologists are warning that this may be a mental disorder that needs treatment. We see the posts and online stories that speak about people dying while trying to take a selfie in dangerous situations. Is a picture or post to gain attention worth dying for? according to the millions and millions of active social media users; many might say a resounding yes! after all, it is a sense of belonging and recognition when you have followers or so-called friends signifying your worth as a human being. This is supremely heightened especially when you amass a large number of each. I think we all know deep down that followers/friends aren't completely true either, just another way to connect in a disconnected world.
We talk of social distancing and not just the confinement caused by the pandemic, but of a deeper divide that in my opinion started long before the selfie, and actually with the start of the computer craze. We have been technically distancing ourselves from each other for years now and with the ability to isolate oneself and never leave home I find that to be the most frightening of all. Still, in light of all the possibilities both negative and positive, we need a real human connection. After enduring this pandemic’s isolation, social distancing and turmoil on a global scale, I see 2020 as a year of incredible learning from COVID-19 to #Black Lives Matter we are finally seeing ourselves for who we truly are, not as pictures posted on a screen, but as humans that can hopefully live beyond our ego’s and self-destructive behaviors and learn to be the one real race HUMAN!