This month's issue of The Economist's 1843 is covered in a 3x3 grid of the same selfie, each edited with a different filter - captioned, '#NoFilter'. As I flicked through the magazine, titles: 'The art of diplomacy', 'Death by Selfie' and subtitle, 'Can a streak of manliner turn Luke Leitch into fresh meat?', undeniably caught my eye. However, I had no intention of reading anything before #NoFilter on page 82, which follows Alexa Abraham: a millennial and co-founder of PR startup, Prezzroom. Since the subject matter is so relevant to FORFACESAKE LONDON and my intention to explore social media's meaning to its plentiful users, I thought that I'd share a few of my observations.
Recurring and overarching themes definitely jumped out at me as I read this feature piece. Firstly, the idea that social media encourages candid self-expression and unreservedness, is too often juxtaposed by a constant need to present oneself and one's life in the most desirable and exciting way - even if, at times, it is unrealistic. Alexa mentions that she likes to make use of Instagram stories because they allow for a bit more authenticity than a curated photo. I would agree! I'm sure that many can relate to being shocked by silly little things like the sound of an influencer's accent, or their surprisingly relatable sense of humour. Increasingly popular features, such as these 24-hour stories, offer the opportunity for a more natural connection between social media users and their followers. However, this seems to be somewhat removed from the flawless, themed photo-feeds that users will dedicate serious time and energy to perfecting. This contradiction apparently materialises itself in a kind of anxiety that can be quite overwhelming and consuming.
It is as if the responsibility to validate yourself and build self-confidence has been placed on others: on those commenting, liking and following your content... Alexa describes it as a frenzy in the guts of instagram - 'a race to prove that you feel and admire and suffer and love more than anyone else.' I can't help but wonder whether social media - Instagram especially - has assumed the function of becoming our own personal, metaphorical reality TV shows, of which we alone are the entire production crew - broadcasting our lives, but only the best bits.
I also couldn't help but notice the justifications for engaging with social media - however uncomfortable or irritating it may sometimes be. Almost all references to work, jobs and careers throughout #NoFilter were linked inextricably to having an online presence. Fair enough! I am well aware of the fact that successful online careers often stem from having a huge, committed and active following. Bloggers and influencers have disrupted so many creative industries and have forced companies to reconfigure their marketing strategies. Carrying so much weight in shaping - and for lack of a better word, influencing - popular culture and society, these social media giants are beginning to assume ‘celebrity’ status.
Finally and possibly the question I continue to find most fascinating: has virtuality become the new reality? I still find it a tad strange how shyness in real-life can be overcome by openness online, how compromise in a relationship has become putting your phone away for an entire day!! (note the sarcasm) Alexa's boyfriend used to find her constant documenting of her life 'intrusive and a serious case of bad manners' but has come to accept being an 'Insta-boyfriend'. Just as 'google' is now a verb, 'Insta-' has become a widely accepted prefix, used to describe all things relating to the gram (Insta-gram).
I wonder whether our digital presence controls the parts of our day-to-day lives that exist beside technology or whether such technology actually dictates our day-to-day? Does this virtual space allow for personal growth or actually confine us to the boundaries of social media and its rules? Alexa says that posting a Facebook status on your wall now, would render you a 'goddamn social pariah' and the concluding infographic of #NoFilter shows, Instagram especially, to negatively impact millennials' personal body image. I'm not entirely sure what to make of all this yet, but I'm sure the more I scroll, double-tap and retweet, the closer I'll get to figuring it out.
It is as if the responsibility to validate yourself and build self-confidence has been placed on others: on those commenting, liking and following your content... Alexa describes it as a frenzy in the guts of instagram - 'a race to prove that you feel and admire and suffer and love more than anyone else.' I can't help but wonder whether social media - Instagram especially - has assumed the function of becoming our own personal, metaphorical reality TV shows, of which we alone are the entire production crew - broadcasting our lives, but only the best bits.
I also couldn't help but notice the justifications for engaging with social media - however uncomfortable or irritating it may sometimes be. Almost all references to work, jobs and careers throughout #NoFilter were linked inextricably to having an online presence. Fair enough! I am well aware of the fact that successful online careers often stem from having a huge, committed and active following. Bloggers and influencers have disrupted so many creative industries and have forced companies to reconfigure their marketing strategies. Carrying so much weight in shaping - and for lack of a better word, influencing - popular culture and society, these social media giants are beginning to assume ‘celebrity’ status.
Engaging with social media is now, more than ever, about creating a personal brand; a brand that can be turned into a business and monetised. Some of these bloggers, influencers, fashion icons, entrepreneurs, you name it, have achieved a great deal. Negin Mirsalehi springs to mind, with a 5.1 million strong following and cofounder of successful hair-care line Gisou, she appeared on Forbes' 30 under 30 list for Art & Culture last year. Alexa talks of her ‘internet heroes’, Grace Fit UK (fitness blogger) and Anna Akana (youtube Titan)... it would definitely appear that not all heroes wear capes, in fact they just have a collective social media following upwards of 900k.
Finally and possibly the question I continue to find most fascinating: has virtuality become the new reality? I still find it a tad strange how shyness in real-life can be overcome by openness online, how compromise in a relationship has become putting your phone away for an entire day!! (note the sarcasm) Alexa's boyfriend used to find her constant documenting of her life 'intrusive and a serious case of bad manners' but has come to accept being an 'Insta-boyfriend'. Just as 'google' is now a verb, 'Insta-' has become a widely accepted prefix, used to describe all things relating to the gram (Insta-gram).
I wonder whether our digital presence controls the parts of our day-to-day lives that exist beside technology or whether such technology actually dictates our day-to-day? Does this virtual space allow for personal growth or actually confine us to the boundaries of social media and its rules? Alexa says that posting a Facebook status on your wall now, would render you a 'goddamn social pariah' and the concluding infographic of #NoFilter shows, Instagram especially, to negatively impact millennials' personal body image. I'm not entirely sure what to make of all this yet, but I'm sure the more I scroll, double-tap and retweet, the closer I'll get to figuring it out.
Click here to read #NoFilter online, it's a good one!