The Visual Culture Of Selfies In The Age Of Social Media

Note To Self: The Visual Culture Of Selfies In The Age Of Social Media

This weeks reading Note to self: The Visual Culture of selfies in the age of social media by Derek Conrad Murray discusses the selfie and the impact the way we perceive images and how they are shared. Whilst talking about the selfie we must note this is important because the camera is easy to get hold of. Almost every person with a mobile phone has access to a front and back facing camera in which they can take photos of themselves (Selfies) and other things around them. Murray talks about the impact of the selfie especially the impact on women in the younger generation. The selfie has both good and bad points. Easy access to a camera and easy to share on social media but in 2013 a selfie that featured Barack Obama, Danish Prime Minister and David Cameron was taken very badly, because of social media and news the photo spread quickly and the three men gained a lot of hatred for the photo. It was described as an act of “Narcissism”.

The selfie is often seen as a childish action that is only done by people who are self centred and superficial. It should also be considered that a lot of the photographs we see that involve the front camera are of Women naked or engaging with a sexual activity. With the Selfie has come a simple way to please other sexually without being in the same room. Just like when the mobile phone was invented there was “Sexting” (Sex Texting) the selfie has created a whole new level of people being able to quickly send photographs of themselves naked to gain the attention of others. This also comes with risks of bribery and blackmail. It is well known that these photographs are not aimed to go public but directly to one person, and it has also been known that Selfies of the sexual kind have been used for gain other than sexual pleasure. Often people threatening to sent other peoples pictures if a price is not payed.

Overall I think this article is a good read and one that is very informative about the modern day selfie. It outlies both the good and the bad and at the same time tells us in detail about feminism within this area.