NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SELFIE CULTURE

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SELFIE CULTURE

A Research Paper Presented to

The English Resource Center

School of Multimedia Arts

Asia Pacific College

Magallanes, Makati

In Partial Fulfilment

of the Requirements for the course

ERESWRIT - Research Writing

Bernard Christopher T. Macababat

August 2014

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

A. Background of Study

The introduction of the digital camera made sharing memories as easy as taking it. Apart from being easy to share memories, it's also easy to delete and recreate them. Digital cameras made it so that you have overall control over what memories you want to keep and want to destroy forever.

According to Claire Jeffreys' article "How Digital Photography Has Changed The World!" using a camera phone, people can take photos anywhere and can be shared with hundreds of people across the world within seconds.

Jeffreys says, "Of course, if you aren't happy with the picture you've taken, you can take another one, and another one, and another…the number of snaps is only limited by your camera or phone battery!" (http://www.streetarticles.com/photography/how-digital-photography-has-changed-the-world)

People love sharing photos be it about things they encounter or about their selves. As time passes, we are more and more concerned with the aesthetics we produce. People nowadays cannot live by a day without sharing photos of whatever they want as if everyone cares what they do, what they look like right now or what they are eating.

Karen Rosenberg tells us on her article "Everyone’s Lives, in Pictures" that taking pictures alone is not enough to confirm reality and enhance experience, that only sharing can give us that validation.

Rosenberg says, "In other words, we are now aesthetic producers — turning our photographs into content for our profiles and blogs and feeds — as well as consumers." (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/sunday-review/everyones-lives-in-pictures-from-instagram.html)

Taking photos of oneself is quickly becoming a trend. They call it "Selfie." Like any other form of popular culture. Selfies seem to be most prominent with the young audience. Without them, selfies would not be as congested as it is like today.

Elise Moreau's article "What is a Selfie?" talks about what selfies are, who takes them and why do people take them.

Moreau says, "Since social media is the driving force of most selfie activity, younger kids interested in staying connected to their friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, crushes or colleagues are more active in sharing selfies on a regular basis." (http://webtrends.about.com/od/Mobile-Web-Beginner/a/What-Is-A-Selfie.htm)

Selfies is the most used form of sharing. It spawned a following that religiously do it and has since then become a staple with netizens and casual internet users because of ease of use.

Elizabeth Day’s article “How selfies became a global phenomenon” talks about how selfies are affecting how people do about their lives. The article also discusses the global impact it has and how it change the face of the internet.

Day says, “The fact that we no longer had to traipse to our local chemist to develop a roll of holiday snaps encouraged us to experiment – after all, on a digital camera, the image could be easily deleted if we didn't like the results. A selfie could be done with the timer button or simply by holding the camera at arm's length, if you didn't mind the looming tunnel of flesh dog-earing one corner of the image.” (http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/14/how-selfies-became-a-global-phenomenon)

Selfie culture was a cultural phenomenon that significantly shaped the face of the internet. Though initially harmless, it may have introduced certain negative effects. There have been numerous accounts all throughout the internet that lead to such negative effects.

Being aware of these negative effects will change the reader’s overall approach to selfie culture and may help prevent them with the problems or at least make them moderate what they do.

The purpose of this paper is to cite and discuss the psychological effects introduced by selfie culture.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1.      What are the psychological effects introduced by selfie culture?

C. Significance of Study

Psychology students. Since the aim of the researcher is to find out the                               psychological effects behind selfie culture, psychology students can benefit from this by using this research paper as a basis for study regarding psychology thru digital medium.

Teenagers. This research paper would be able to educate teenagers on the various            negative effects of selfie culture leading them to prevent experiencing the same fallout.

Parents. This research paper will benefit parents by making them aware of the various negative effects and prevent their children from experiencing them.

Netizens. Nitizens will benefit from this research paper since the main focus of this paper revolves around the internet.

D. Scope and Delimitation

This paper will only focus on the psychological effects of selfie culture, based on real world accounts and scientific researches.

            This study will only be discussing the psychological effects of selfie culture.

E. Materials and Method

The sources used on this research are all gathered from articles on the internet that tackle anything that is related to selfie culture.

The researcher used the data from this research to discuss and explain the psychological effects and how it affects the lives of the person that is currently having this issues.

F. Definition of Terms

1. Narcissism. Psychoanalysis. Erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/narcissism)

2. Netizen. An active participant in the online community of the Internet. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/netizen)

3. Selfie. A photograph that one takes of oneself with a digital camera or a front-facing smartphone, tablet, or webcam, especially for posting on a social-networking or photo-sharing website. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/selfie)

4. Sharing. Digital Technology. A combining form with the meaning “the practice of giving specific users access to digital documents or other online content.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sharing)

5. Social Networking Sites. Abbreviated as SNS a social networking site is the phrase used to describe any Web site that enables users to create public profiles within that Web site and form relationships with other users of the same Web site who access their profile. Social networking sites can be used to describe community-based Web sites, online discussions forums, chat rooms and other social spaces online. (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/social_networking_site.html)

Chapter 2

DISCUSSION

What are the psychological effects introduced by selfie culture?

I. Definition and Trend of Selfies

            A selfie is a photo that is taken usually of oneself using a small digital camera or a smartphone with a camera. Selfie’s are usually taken from a low angle simulating a gain of height. Due to its “artistic” nature, selfies come in different types. Five of the most popular are the Duckface, Post Workout Selfie, The Mirror Selfie, Caught Sleeping Selfie and The Bathroom Selfie.

Selfie trend has been on the internet for quite some time now. According to Mark Amsler's article "Where did that word come from? – Selfie," the word selfie dates its roots back in 2002 when it was first used by a 20-something's guy on a drunken party on New Zealand. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11182715)

II. Psychological Effects introduced by Selfie Culture.

     A.     Addiction

Too much of anything is bad for you. The popularity of the internet or anything digital for that matter sprung countless cases of addiction.

Fiona Keating has an article entitled “Selfie addict took TWO HUNDRED a day - and tried to kill himself when he couldn't take perfect photo” that talks about a 19 year old boy, Danny Bowman, who spent 10 hours taking selfies. David had snapped 200 photos of himself during the 10 hours he tried. It lead him to drop out school, not leaving his house for six months and went aggressive to his parents when they tried to stop him.

David says that he wanted to take the perfect selfie and when he realised that he couldn’t do it, he wanted to die. Dr. David Veal, the psychologist that treated David says that Danny’s case was particularly extreme.

Technology has a reputation of involving itself to the user. Video games, chat, online dating and now selfies, these things were made so that people will be entertained. Entertainment is a very popular way of forgetting the real life. It can be both good and bad. Good because it can help you cope with your problems by making you feel happy. Bad because it can lead you to addiction. Selfies are a way to entertain a person. A way to make anyone feel good about themselves. Problem is, some people tend to get overbored leading them to addiction.

Keating says, “But Danny is not some bizarre one-off case in a world where smartphone and social media obsession is spiralling upwards. The top psychiatrist at the clinic where Danny was treated revealed ­addiction to taking selfies is becoming so widespread it is now is a recognised mental illness.” (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/selfie-addict-took-two-hundred-3273819)

Cassey Ferrand's article "Signs of suffering from 'selfie' addiction" talks about what to look for to determine that you have selfie addiction. Cassey talks to a selfie addict named Ayana. Ayana Frank, a 40-year-old mother of three, posts 1,300 instagram photos, 230 of which are selfies or selfies with her friends and family. Frank says her friends have coined her queen of selfies in reaction to her plethora of posts on instagram.

In response to Ayana Frank's situation, Ferrand also talked to Kelley Ott, a counselor at the HOPE Center. Ott said that selfies may be an outward expression of a person's existing self-esteem issues or feelings that they are not good enough. Ott followed up by saying young people who post selfies are seeking attention, positive feedback and social validation.

What some people don't realize is the more they try to seek attention, the more it will hurt them psychology. Most of the people who cry for attention end up taking all their time in doing things that get them noticed. In turn, they get addicted and completely ruin their way of living. 

Ferrand says, "Though it is fun and trendy, some psychologists say there is a dark side to selfie-taking and it could be a cry for attention or even help." (http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/signs-of-suffering-from-selfie-addiction/25941110)

Another selfie addict is Kurt Coleman. In Kerry McQueeney's article "Is this selfie-addict the world’s vainest teenager?", she talks about who is Kurt Coleman and how is he a selfie addict. 

Kerry says that Kurt describes himself as ‘the Australian Paris Hilton.’ Kerry goes on and talks about Kurt being hot contender for the world’s vainest teenager. Kurt's twitter are full of endless boasts together with his vast collection of slutty selfies had earned him the title 'the vainest teen on Instagram.' Being a household name in Australia for being the vainest gained him haters which constantly bash him with insults. Though being hated, Kurt seems to still stand saying, that the only reason why people hate him is because he's perfect. 

Addiction may not always manifest onto you internally. Addiction may also lead you to affect people around you. Addicts can get caught up in the moment and think what they see is good is generally right, clouding your judgement and changing your overall persona.

McQueeney says, "There’s always a chance that Kurt could be a send-up. Some theories claim the persona is an elaborate comedy act. In any case, Kurt is fast becoming a household name in his home country of Australia and has already been interviewed on television networks for being an internet celebrity." (http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/17/is-this-selfie-addict-the-worlds-vainest-teenager-4702463/)

       B.      Narcissism

Selfies are photos taken of oneself, it’s no surprise that narcissistic tendencies would come in to play. People on social networking sites are already showing signs of narcissism. Selfies just proves it.

Joe Humphreys’ article “Is the selfie an act of narcissism?” talks about philosopher Simon Blackburn’s book “Mirror, Mirror: The Uses and Abuses of Self-Love” and how it relates to today’s youth. Simon tells us that self-esteem can cross over to narcissism.

Blackburn also tells us that though technology can interrupt your life, it won’t lead to narcissism. He says that the main reason why people cross over to narcissism is because of how vain they are coupled with the lack of self-confidence.

The internet has given everyone the opportunity to share and post anything they like. Selfie takers frequently post pictures of themselves through social networking sites to either get noticed or to have a sense of belongingness. Though some people tend to get overboard and brag about how wonderful they are. This makes people have high self-esteem that leads to narcissism. Self-love isn’t always a bad thing, it’s just bad if it will affect your way of living, how you see life and how you deal with others around you.

Blackburn says, “The road to narcissism, or a fixated self-love, goes via conceit: if the vain person is too concerned with how he stands in the eyes of others, the conceited person has learned to ignore the others and just thrive on his own good opinion of himself. Narcissism is the fatal extreme of this.” (http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/is-the-selfie-an-act-of-narcissism-1.1854029?page=1)

runsonmagic's article "Have We Reached Peak Narcissism With The “Selfie Stick”? talks about how selfie takers have reached the point of narcissism with the use of the selfie stick. 

A selfie stick, according to the Business Insider are the new tool everyone is using to help take pictures of themselves. The act of people taking pictures of themselves has never been as ubiquitous as it is today—and consequently, everyone's trying to make money off of selfies. Sony is reportedly releasing a phone that's designed for selfies. (http://www.businessinsider.com/selfie-stick-2014-7)

Being a tool is very fitting because of the fact that it helped boost peoples narcissistic tendencies. At this rate, anything that would help people with their vanity will surely come to this point. It's sad that more and more people are beginning to become somewhat narcissism.

runsonmagic says, "The selfie stick represents the beginning of peak narcissism, because is shows that Americans are willing to look absurd in real life and ruin actual experiences to look better in the digital world. The only way Americans could look more absurd is if they put motion capture dots on their face, so they could digitally replace themselves in videos with a more attractive digital stunt double."(http://www.returnofkings.com/39946/have-we-reached-peak-narcissism-with-the-selfie-stick)

CHAPTER 3

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

           This research attempted to cite and discuss the psychological effects of selfie culture.

1. Because of the digital camera anyone can share photos anytime, anywhere.

2. Taking pictures alone is not enough anymore people need to share to achieve validation.

3. Selfies became a popular way to share your life experiences with others.

4. Selfies affects the internet and peoples lives.

CONCLUSION

Based on the finding of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:

1. Selfie addiction can be an extreme case if not treated.

2. Selfie may lead to narcissism but not entirely because of selfie itself but with how the             person reacts to such things.

3. Not all are affected but all are prone to having these psychological effects.

RECOMMENDATIONS

       After drawing conclusions of the study, the researcher hereby makes the following suggestions/recommendations:

 1. Teenagers and young adults should learn to limit their use of social networking sites.

       2. Parents should guide their children by teaching them what the limits are.

       3. Netizens should be aware that not everything they do is the right thing or is good for their own good.

     4. Future researchers should research about how these psychological effects change in time. What’ll it be like for people diagnosed with the psychological effects after a certain time. They should use this study to have basis for a more concrete study in the future relating to this topic.

      REFERENCES     

      A.      Electronic Media

Jeffreys, C. (2012, April 09). How Digital Photography Has Changed The World! Retrieved August 11, 2014 from http://www.streetarticles.com/photography/how-digital-photography-has-changed-the-world

Rosenberg. K. (2012, April 21). Everyone’s Lives, in Pictures. Retrieved August 11, 2014 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/sunday-review/everyones-lives-in-pictures-from-instagram.html

Moreau, E. (n.d.). What is a Selfie? Retrieved June 16, 2014 from http://webtrends.about.com/od/Mobile-Web-Beginner/a/What-Is-A-Selfie.htm

Day, E. (2013, July 14). How selfies became a global phenomenon. Retrieved August 11, 2014 from http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/14/how-selfies-became-a-global-phenomenon

Amsler, M. (2014, Jan 8). Where did that word come from? – Selfie. Retrieved August 11, 2014 from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11182715

Keating, F. (2014, March 23). Selfie addict took TWO HUNDRED a day - and tried to kill himself when he couldn't take perfect photo. Retrieved August 11, 2014 from http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/selfie-addict-took-two-hundred-3273819

Ferrand, C. (2014, May 12). Signs of suffering from 'selfie' addiction. Retrieved August 31, 2014 from http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/signs-of-suffering-from-selfie-addiction/25941110

McQueeney, K. ( 2014, April 17). Is this selfie-addict the world’s vainest teenager? Retrieved August 31, 2014 from http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/17/is-this-selfie-addict-the-worlds-vainest-teenager-4702463/

Humphreys, J. (2014, July 4). Is the selfie an act of narcissism? Retrieved June 23, 2014 from http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/is-the-selfie-an-act-of-narcissism-1.1854029?page=1

runsonmagic (2014, July 17). Have We Reached Peak Narcissism With The “Selfie Stick” Retrieved August 31, 2014 from http://www.returnofkings.com/39946/have-we-reached-peak-narcissism-with-the-selfie-stick

Blogpost #8: Haters gonna hate

Everybody loves selfies right?. They are easy to do, fun to do with freinds and/or family and there maybe a off chance that you'll become famous. So why do some people, religiously hate selfies?

Anwesha points out on her article "Why We Hate Selfies So Much?" on boldsky.com how irritating seflies are and what it gives out that we wanna hate it more. She gives a couple of reasons why people hate selfies. One is being a "wannabe."Having fun!!! #jw #selfie #bowtie #butfirstletmetakeaselfie #loco #crazy #letmetakeaselfie #peluca#yo

Anwesha says, "Only total wannabes click their own pictures and then post it on Facebook. If you do not want to be identified as a wannabe, then you should not take selfies and post them."

It is apparent that for some that selfies are a gateway of social preservation. Some take selfies so they can prove to society that they can. That they are not useless and people will give anything just to be in their shoes. For me, that what makes you a wannabe. Since when did being a wannabe makes people like you more?

source: makeameme.org

Annie Stamell's article "An Open Letter to People Who Take Selfies" on hellogiggles.com expresses her thoughts about selfies and selfie takers. She points out the flaws of people who take selfies and even uses herself as an example. Annie also made self-proclaimed laws that may or may not help an individual be less on an annoyance to social media.

Monday #selfieStamell says, "You take a lot of selfies. Yes, you. You know who you are. And don’t pretend you don’t know what I am referring to, because all your friends and followers and family members have seen those self-portraits you post anywhere from three to seventeen times a day."

Clearly, Annie has some issues with people or even her friends about the excessive use of selfies. she also said that she herself had some "Too much selfie-ing." Of course, whenever you post something on the internet, it is part of the internet. Random people will see it and may interpret in one way or another. Though some know when to stop or at least when to not go overboard with uploading. Some will have no idea on what it does to their environment.

source: dailymail.co.uk

Selfies are like a drug. Their are prescribed amounts in a day you should try to follow. Excess and you may or may not have complications. Not all people think the same. Not all people will like what others worship. I myself am one of those people that think selfies are getting excessive and annoying. For any selfie takers that maybe reading this. Take Annies advices. You need them.

Blogpost #7: Filipino's love of Selfies

Selfie has been a global phenomenon for quite sometime now. Almost everyone on the planet takes one. Filipinos are not left behind with that craze. Believe it or not, The Philippines has the majority, if not, the most die hard selfie fans and we have analytically proof!

On Chris Wilson's article "The Selfiest Cities in the World: TIME's Definitive Ranking" on time.com. They built a database using Instagram photos with “selfie” as its tag and included geographic coordinates. They determined 459 cities as the selfiest places on earth and concurred that Makati and Pasig is the selfie capital of the world with 258 selfie-takers per 100,000 people and Cebu as the 9th with 99 selfie-takers per 100,000 people.

Ginawa mo na ba 'to? Selfie sa fitting room. #Hahahampaslupa 😂😂Wilson says, "An examination of hundreds of thousands of selfies—the low-fi, self-shot photographs that are intensely popular among younger social media users—suggests that the city, part of metropolitan Manila and home to 500,000 people, produces more selfies per capita than any other city in the world."

Looking at the numbers, I didn't expect it to be like this. Yeah, I know Filipinos love to love themselves but this numbers are for me, just alarming to know. I don't think it's a bad thing, yet. But it might be someday, right? It may be something good for all we know. Tourism anyone? Well, I just don't wanna wake up one morning and see a bunch of photos of random people all over the Filipino cyberspace.

source: direkaleckx01.blogspot.com

Andrea Ayala's article "The online etiquette of the 'selfie generation' " on rappler.com sheds some light on why Filipinos are in to selfies and with social media in general. She tells stores of people and their encounter with the medium. She even goes out and talk about what young people are doing wrong.

Yesterday🙈 #IWasBored #lol #instagood #followforfollow #likeforlike #filipino #pinoy #Kobe9

Ayala says, "Although teenagers have a personal understanding about what should and shouldn’t be posted online, as we continue to explore social networking sites, most of these opinions are far from being echoed by a majority."

It's a know fact that majority of selfies Filipinos take are either nonsensical or just brag photos. Just look for Filipinos on instagram and you'll see thousands, if not, millions. But amidst all of the Filipino vanity there are still some young Filipinos who know the proper etiquette. I just wish there was more of them.

source: totalprosports.com

With all that being said. We should be proud of our achievement. It's a good thing we are all well known for something other than Manny Pacquiao. It's an awesome group effort people. Be proud Makati, Pasig and Cebu! Be proud Philippines! I guess.

Blogpost #6: Overkill

At the start of popular culture, people love doing what other people are doing. If it's in, I'm in. But when is enough, enough? When does something fresh, funky and cool become stale?

There is a saying, "Too Much of Anything Is Bad For You." Not everything, especially fads last long or rather people will eventually get sick of it. Connor Toole expresses on his article "The Rise And Fall Of The Selfie: How Selfies Have Officially Peaked" on elitedaily.com that selfies made their mark and now we need something else to do. Connor also analyzes how the fad became part of pop-culture and discusses the factors involved.

#warsaw #afterwork

Toole says, "However, this selfie craze is unsustainable, just like planking, neknomination and countless other trends. It’s only a matter of time before people get tired of hearing the word “selfie” every five minutes. I say we just get it over with and move on to something else."

This is the problem with popular culture. People tend to over attach themselves with what's popular. They try to drain the sh*t out of it, never trying to look back and hoping to be the best or something like that. The sad truth is that technology is passing us by very fast, so is everything else. Popular culture is no exception. The human race had encountered fads long before the digital age. Except, back then things had a slower pace. Well whatever happens, people will find something new to do. It's just a matter of time and what.

source: troll.me

Nicolas White's article "The life and death of the selfie: How it transformed pop culture — and then jumped the shark" on salon.com discusses events regarding selfies. From a 17-year old girl from Russia to the President of the United States, Barrack Obama. He talks about how the selfie, from it's original form back in the 19th century changed to what it is today on social media. Nicolas even foresees that in 20 years, VH1 will make a documentary about everyone's beloved selfie.
Lunch break: pizza in downtown Davenport, Iowa #AmericaForward White says, "Over the last century the camera has emerged and evolved as a popular art form, culminating, in this moment of the selfie. In our phones, the camera has become something other than it has ever been, demonstrating just how the technology and culture of the Internet has changed humankind".

Digital culture has come a long way. Nowadays, everything is in one place. Even art has changed dramatically. Art will always evolve, hopefully, to become better. Though, with technology, art has become somewhat mediocre. It becomes so stale, so fast that, we need to compensate with new and far more better things. 

source: thenutsnet.com

THings come and go. What is popular today, may or may not be popular tomorrow. People overfeed themselves, not just with food but with almost anything that they could think of. As a part of this generation, I get affected with everything that is happening. I am curious and somehow scared with what will happen with the medium. I just hope that people don't take things too far. But then again, I think it's too late now.

Blogpost #5: Selfie Junkie

More and more people are introduced to the idea of taking a selfie. From, pre-teens to the elders. Selfies are quickly becoming a new form of recreation. The youth in particular partake this activities, some becoming addicted to it. Of course with this new vice, addiction will surely be at its tail.

In connection to selfie addiction, there was a hoax that was spread about selfies causing mental illness. So let's look on to this realistically. In Gemma Aldridge and Kerry Harden's article "Selfie addict took TWO HUNDRED a day - and tried to kill himself when he couldn't take perfect photo" on mirror.co.uk they talk about Danny Bowman, a 19-yo boy who apparently took hundreds selfies. Bowman dropped out of school, stayed at home for six months, became aggressive with his parents and even tried to commit suicide just because he wasn't able to take the perfect selfie.

🔵🔵His girlfriend just broke up with him and he's giving his number # out to everyone who follows him 🔴🔴 🔵🔵Comment"your so fine😘😍" or "Bae😍😘" on one of his pictures to get noticed🔴🔴 💕😭😍@xAngelzx6😍😭💕 💕😭😍@xAngelzx6😍😭💕 💕😭😍@xAngelzx6😍😭💕 💕😭😍@xAngelzx6😍😭💕 😍 He's following back the next 100 CUTE girls who follow spam/likes and leave comments so hurry up😍 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #Rate #tbh #cute #sixpack #abs #cutie #Tumblrboy #followme #followforfollow #follow4follow #likeforlike #l4l #kikme #twerk #summer #hottie #recent4recent #shoutout #followers #snapchat #s4s #likeforfollow #wcw #boys #followhim #instafollow #selfie #perfect #boyfriend #followback  Aldridge and Harden says, "But Danny is not some bizarre one-off case in a world where smartphone and social media obsession is spiralling upwards. The top psychiatrist at the clinic where Danny was treated revealed ­addiction to taking selfies is becoming so widespread it is now is a recognised mental illness."

Love of one's self  may or may not get you crazy. In Danny's case, he got a bit overboard. I could never really understand how these kinds of addiction get out of hand. I had my fare share of addictions but never anything like this. Its sad to hear that a once harmless and fun recreational activity turns someone to a selfie junkie. But who am I to judge, I'm just glad that the boy didn't end his life.

source: diylol.com

So how do I do Iknow if I'm an addict or at the verge of it? Casey Ferrand's article "Signs of suffering from 'selfie' addiction" on wdsu.com talks about some of the things a selfie addict would think about. One example is "Do I really like myself? I think everybody should." Casey also gave some advice on what to do as told by a Psychologist and even put up a few questions to asses if you're indeed an addict.

Ma minette et moi #addict #amour #love #cat #me #chat #family #forever #friends Ferrand says, "It is hard not to get swept up in the selfie craze. It is fun, easy and with one click your picture is posted for all to see."

You know the feeling when you eat chocolates? After you had one, it's practically unavoidable to eat another. Your mind thinks it's bad because it'll make you fat, but your body thinks it's so good, that you need more, if not every single piece you see in front of you. Or when you play this certain video game. You start playing, you won't notice time passes and after you realize it's 3 am you feel that you've done something bad yet you still want to play. Nowadays, it's really easy to get caught up on something. The digital age, on the internet more specifically, made it easier for people to explore vast ideas and information. Well of course that will lead to either something useful, like general information and general knowledge or the opposite like vices that'll have a negative effect on you and even things that'll make you think or suggest you to do ill.

source: troll.me

Humans will be humans. We are susceptible to every form of temptation. We're not perfect and that what makes us humans. Of course, too much of something is bad be it good or not. Moderation I guess or at least a sense of knowing that enough is enough. Addiction can be fought, you just need to learn how to tame it.

Blogpost #4: Hi! My name is Narcissus.

Vanity has been hunting the human race since the 1500s. It was then since associated with the term Narcissism based from the Greek mythology involving Narcissus. With 'Selfie' in the picture, Am I a narcissist?

In Pamela Rutledge's article "#Selfies: Narcissism or Self-Exploration?" on psychologytoday.com. She talks about how selfies can be not a form of Narcissism but a form of Self-Exploration, or study of oneself. She gives out details explaining how and even pointing concrete examples to defend her claim. She goes on to explain how selfie is just an evolved Self-portrait. 

i miss school. Star City later *_*

Rutledge says, "Humans have long demonstrated an interest in self-exploration.  From early Greeks to present day, people have used self-study and self-observation to explore identity and sense of self.  Trying to figure out who we are and what we’re about is a distinctly human pursuit for almost everyone, whether you are trying to find greater consciousness or figure out what moved you to buy the blue shoes."

As technology progresses, we find ways to learn things about ourselves. We are humans, we always have questions about anything, about ourselves. Selfies in my opinion is a way for some to connect with themselves, to learn from what other people think about them based on their selfies. Though learning oneself may lead to something good. Some people tend to over examine their selves making them think things like "If I'm not like this, maybe I need to be like this." They become co-dependent to society, which in the long run, very toxic. Let's face it, no one is physically perfect at birth and no science magic will ever change that(yet).

source: memegenerator.net

Melissa Schenker states on her article "Are You a Narcissist If You Take Selfies?" on huffingtonpost.com that our culture points out teens as being narcissistic when it's just developmentally appropriate for them to be focused on their peers and be self-oriented. She points out that, selfie is for teens is just a way for them to fit in, to grow up as an adult. She also says it's over-generalizing and is a shallow notion of narcissism. 

I look like a punk rocker with my overgrown bangs. Getting them cut soon!! My hand looks green...... #punk #rock #bangs #cut #green #handSchenker says, "Could it be that calling teens out for doing selfies may be our generation's rock-n-roll? And maybe, the older generations are being narcissistic by calling teens out for selfies -- assuming the old way of using the new technology is better than the teen's way?"

There will always be a generation gap. It happened to me, it happened to our parents. I do believe that what teens do now has something similar when I was growing up. Calling the older generations as being narcissistic may or may not be in agreement with all as some of them are just concerned for the well being of their children. its a known fact that selfies is the most contagious form of social media and too much of a good thing(for some) is bad thing, ain't it? 

source: memgenerator.net

Like it or not, people, teens will take selfies. They will get addicted and nobody can stop them but themselves. I personally really don't think selfies are bad at all. It's just some may do them excessively and to the point that it's pointless. Well, we just need to accept the facts and try to at least be there for them when shit happens. 

Blogpost #3: Types of Selfies

Selfie's have become somewhat an art form. Spawning multiple types who can pass as something artsy. And you know what? The number of types keeps growing.

Trey Humphreys' article "The 15 Worst Types of Selfies" on wittyandpretty.com enumerates some types which he thinks are the worst among the countless types out there. These types are as follows: The Gym Selfie, The Pet Selfie, The Car Selfie, The Blurry Selfie, The Just Woke Up Selfie, Pretending to Be Asleep Selfie, The Add a Kid Selfie, The Hospital Selfie, The “I’m On Alcohol” Selfie, The Duck Face Selfie, The Pregant Belly Mirror Selfie, The “I Have Enough Money to Fly On an Airplane” Selfie, The 3D Selfie, The Say Something That Has Nothing To Do With Anything Selfie and The “I Live In Filth” Selfie.

Our Morninq Thoe.: ) #WokeUp Next To My Ninaa  Humphreys says, "That annoying picture you post of YOURSELF to remind the world just how attractive you are. Shut the f*cking door."
People in the internet lack the sense of humilty. People who often post selfies post them just to brag or to horde in some of those lovely likes. Well, most people on the internet, specially teens, lack self-confidence. To think majority of those non-confident folks have looks to boot. Humans are weird, specially with their appearance. I do not understand the need to show off what the higher beings gave them.

Source: cheezburger.com

This next ones all about self-love! Rosie Waterland posts "The ‘Bikini in the Mirror’ and 4 other kinds of selfie. Which one have you taken?" on mamamia.com.au lists 5 most vain selfies she has encountered. These are: The ‘I found a look that works for me and I’m sticking with it’ Selfie, The ‘Backdoor Brag’ Selfie, The ‘Warts and All’ Selfie, The ‘I’m acting like this is ironic but really I know how good I look’ Selfie and The ‘All-out I don’t care how vain this is bikini in the mirror’ Selfie.

Never ask a girl with winged eyeliner why she's late.💁#commonsense #asian #girl #pinay #filo #wing #eyeliner #vain #quatro #selca #selfie #nashville #effect Waterland says, "To me, the selfie culture populates a mysterious part of the social media universe where a language is spoken that I just don’t understand. A language that feels like it’s lacking any kind of irony or self-deprecation. And people who can’t make fun of themselves are people who make me nervous. To me – selfies all just look so… self-indulgent."

I firmly agree with Waterlands statement. There is just something about the social mediaverse that most people, inlcuding me, wont understand. Maybe because of preferences? I don't understand vain people at all. Well, I have no looks to be proud of so whatevs!

Source: en.wikipedia.org

For the most part, selfies seem to be all about ones love to his/her own looks. Vanity and self-indulgence is the name of the game. A trait the makes some humans more humans in my own opinion. Anyways to better love others you need to love your self first. So for the lack of a better ending. I leave you with this quote from William Shakespeare, "Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good; A shining gloss that fadeth suddenly; A flower that dies when first it 'gins to bud, A brittle glass that’s broken presently."