EDITORIAL - Time and place for everything

Yesterday, Americans celebrated National Selfie Day.

 

Now, in a world where serious atrocities are occurring across the globe and the global environment itself is suffering under the stress of supporting humankind, it seems trivial to focus on something as absurd as a selfie. 

 

Yet the selfie prompts one to consider a number of issues that are certainly more crucial, like defining societal norms; moral boundaries; and gender imbalances, especially regarding notions of sexual empowerment; and also the value of minority representation – albeit in social networking.

 

The selfie came about as a result of the increasing popularity of smartphones across the globe, which were used to create a self-generated, self-portrait often taken spontaneously and usually depicting the subject in their immediate environment. Through the widespread use of social media, selfies have gained so much fame that the word has been officially added to the Oxford Dictionary.

 

Along with fame though, came notoriety, as people began taking highly inappropriate, morally questionable and sometimes simply disgusting selfies, which were subsequently viewed by millions. The most infamous to date has arguably been the woman who posed for a selfie in front of a scene where a man was attempting suicide by jumping off a bridge! The craze of taking selfies at funeral with the deceased in the frame is another reprehensible act that has given the selfie a negative connotation.

 

As a result, many experts point to the psychological damage that selfies cause. In addition to the obvious gruesome shot, there is also the fact that while posting a picture of oneself is understandable and gives the subject a few moments of fame, some people spend an inordinate amount of time taking selfies, resulting in them missing out on real life moments; diminishing their relationships with loved ones and damaging their self-image, especially with regard to their careers. And, as is the case with the Internet, an image that is intended for a few eyes and a short life span can be seen by billions and remain online for years. 

 

Yet, technology is not to blame, people are the ones at fault. Part of the psychology behind the selfie is as a means of gaining attention. In this increasingly “connected” world there is a growing disconnect amongst humans. With so many tuned in, the only way to register with any significance is to attract attention. However, it is debatable whether selfies truly are a way for people, especially minorities, to represent themselves to society, in a world where their images and situations would not otherwise be publicised. This would mean attributing a social network with the significance to make a difference in society’s norms, or with the reach to affect change on the wider scale of the community.

 

And with people using the selfie to demonstrate their moral depravities and psychological deficiencies, there really is a need to rethink whether it is being used as a positive force, or as an extension of society’s true nature.

 

In the final analysis, the onus is on the users of technology to remember their humanity and be first and foremost caring members of society. There is nothing wrong with being in the limelight occasionally, but the moment should merit being immortalised digitally. There is no need to immerse yourself in “selfiedom” full time. There is a time and place for everything.

 

Additionally, technology should be used to enhance one’s life and not become a social crutch. Teach youngsters from now to live their lives to the fullest and show them the correct ways to use technology.