Selfies..

Spursex

Spursex

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I think I've hit the 'I don't understand my kids' first brickwall....my youngest and her friends are 'selfies' nuts...I just don't get it..

Anyone else into this craze?!


31 October 2013 Last updated at 15:52 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

ShareFacebookTwitter.Trending: Selfies at serious places, selfies at funerals...
By BBC Trending

What's popular and why


Is a selfie at a funeral a step too far? What about a selfie at a Holocaust memorial? Or outside a raging house fire?

These are all real examples from two Tumblr sites - Selfies at Serious Places and, a new site, Selfies at Funerals - set up by New Yorker Jason Feifer. His examples are all collated from publicly accessible images posted on social networks. One of them reads "shirtless, homeless bum selfie", and shows a young man making a V sign in front of a rough-looking man, slumped on the ground in Las Vegas.

"What you're seeing is an expression of one second's worth of thought... it's an impulse," says Feifer.

Selfies are photos taken by oneself, of oneself. The internet is bursting with these iterations of me, me, me - more than 53 million pictures have been tagged #selfie on the photo-sharing site Instagram. Mobile phones now come with cameras specially designed for the arm's length selfie shot. Feifer got thinking about the backdrop people use for selfies while on holiday with his wife in Europe. As they toured sites like Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam or the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, he kept noticing people whipping out their phones for a quick pose.

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Some people whose photos are featured on the site have written to Feifer to say they feel embarrassed for taking the selfies where they did - others to justify themselves, or say the pictures have been used out of context. Feifer says he's not trying to judge anyone - people often just want a record of where they have been. But he does think it's an interesting social phenomenon.

"This is a thing that people do - and when you see it in aggregate it takes on a meaning. For the first time in human history, we have the ability to share whatever we see, whenever we see it," he says. "We are still figuring out what value that is, and what is supposed to be shared - maybe everything should be shared, maybe nothing should be shared."

Reporting by Cordelia Hebblethwaite
 
Not going to comment on your parenting problem there Ex but 'Selfies' in general are extremely sad.

I don't see much wrong with it all in general (cept it's saddo stuff), but it show a lack of respect for fellow humans when you see a shot like the one below... (photoshopped)

 
Galvin's Shinpads - 5/11/2013 13:38

Not going to comment on your parenting problem there Ex but 'Selfies' in general are extremely sad.

I don't see much wrong with it all in general (cept it's saddo stuff), but it show a lack of respect for fellow humans when you see a shot like the one below... (photoshopped)
Click to expand...
It is utterly vile I have seen a tweet from a woman's dying fathers bedside mate. This whole damn society is lost.
 
A discussion on where this perverse me as the star of my own reality show culture has taken us, is long over due. I don't even have a face book page EX, because when I first became aware of them I quickly noticed how similar they all were. They are page after page of people trying to give the impression of a life lived well instead of simply living."Here's me in front the Grand Canyon, the Pyramid at Giza, Sandy hook high school." With zero thought spared for the increasingly blurred line between what is a public and private moment. These so called "Selfies" are the logical extension of an idea reinforced by the ubiquity of social media, that every aberrant thought has to be filmed, shared and disseminated because it must be of interest to my "followers" "Friends" ect. It disgusts me.
 
spurdon - 5/11/2013 14:20

A discussion on where this perverse me as the star of my own reality show culture has taken us, is long over due. I don't even have a face book page EX, because when I first became aware of them I quickly noticed how similar they all were. They are page after page of people trying to give the impression of a life lived well instead of simply living."Here's me in front the Grand Canyon, the Pyramid at Giza, Sandy hook high school." With zero thought spared for the increasingly blurred line between what is a public and private moment. These so called "Selfies" are the logical extension of an idea reinforced by the ubiquity of social media, that every aberrant thought has to be filmed, shared and disseminated because it must be of interest to my "followers" "Friends" ect. It disgusts me.
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:1:
 
I can understand 'selfie' as a desire to just get the 'ol mug into the frame - been there and done that myself in my time.
The real horror here is 'selfie' as, f*** the sad/horrible occasion behind me, here's me and I couldn't give a f***. That is sick ...
 
I must be the antithesis of it then. All our photos at home seem to exclude me as I'm usually the one taking all the photos. What worries me though is that no one says "We don't have anything with Dad in it!" I can take a hint.
 
Galvin's Shinpads - 5/11/2013 13:38

Not going to comment on your parenting problem there Ex but 'Selfies' in general are extremely sad.

I don't see much wrong with it all in general (cept it's saddo stuff), but it show a lack of respect for fellow humans when you see a shot like the one below... (photoshopped)
Click to expand...

Mind you it is possible to argue that this is a clever comment on the transience of life. "Look, I'm alive like you but one day we'll both be dead like the poor sod behind me, so enjoy it while you can".

It's possible ...
 
Innispurs - 5/11/2013 22:21

Galvin's Shinpads - 5/11/2013 13:38

Not going to comment on your parenting problem there Ex but 'Selfies' in general are extremely sad.

I don't see much wrong with it all in general (cept it's saddo stuff), but it show a lack of respect for fellow humans when you see a shot like the one below... (photoshopped)
Click to expand...

Mind you it is possible to argue that this is a clever comment on the transience of life. "Look, I'm alive like you but one day we'll both be dead like the poor sod behind me, so enjoy it while you can".

It's possible ...
Click to expand...

It's also possible that any sad bastard that looks as good as yer wan, will get on X-Factor. And there in lies, an awful psyche. AN AWFUL PSYCHE.
 
Galvin's Shinpads - 6/11/2013 03:25

Innispurs - 5/11/2013 22:21

Galvin's Shinpads - 5/11/2013 13:38

Not going to comment on your parenting problem there Ex but 'Selfies' in general are extremely sad.

I don't see much wrong with it all in general (cept it's saddo stuff), but it show a lack of respect for fellow humans when you see a shot like the one below... (photoshopped)
Click to expand...

Mind you it is possible to argue that this is a clever comment on the transience of life. "Look, I'm alive like you but one day we'll both be dead like the poor sod behind me, so enjoy it while you can".

It's possible ...
Click to expand...

It's also possible that any sad bastard that looks as good as yer wan, will get on X-Factor. And there in lies, an awful psyche. AN AWFUL PSYCHE.
Click to expand...

What Galvin says...
 
spurdon - 5/11/2013 14:20

A discussion on where this perverse me as the star of my own reality show culture has taken us, is long over due. I don't even have a face book page EX, because when I first became aware of them I quickly noticed how similar they all were. They are page after page of people trying to give the impression of a life lived well instead of simply living."Here's me in front the Grand Canyon, the Pyramid at Giza, Sandy hook high school." With zero thought spared for the increasingly blurred line between what is a public and private moment. These so called "Selfies" are the logical extension of an idea reinforced by the ubiquity of social media, that every aberrant thought has to be filmed, shared and disseminated because it must be of interest to my "followers" "Friends" ect. It disgusts me.
Click to expand...

I'm glad to say that (as far as I know) it just seems to be a craze driven by snapchat and no the horrible 'selfies' example that's mentioned above..

Perhaps it's just another example of the law of unintended consequences that technology use seems to spring up with all the time...

It's seems the kids don't think about it too deeply (why should they?) and is just seen as 'fun'....I was more commentating on the fact that I've always been able to get/understand what my children were doing, but this one just baffled me...

It was my first ever experience of feeling old where my children were concerned I guess!

I detest reality shows and fortunately my children pretty much think they're shallow examples of the 'celeb' culture and pretty much say as much.

I never understood or like BB, and fortunately for me, nor did or do they, as for the whole social media bit, it does tend to scream 'look at me'...but then people in some form or another have always done that, even if it was 'let me show you our holiday pics'....

Largely, I think social media and the whole 'followers' bit is a replacement for what was once close family and friends and as we've built new/different relationships/networks it was a natural extension of this trend...

Anyway, I'd been working with a modern anthropologist whose 'job' is to predict future technology usage and trends as she interprets modern or developing trends (in other works predict where researchers should be applying their efforts) and I'd ask her to explain'selfies' to me - and she said basically it's the same desire/motivation that cavemen had to put themselves/record themselves as they painted/carved on the cave wall !!

So maybe nothings actually changed that much?!

 
Spursex - 6/11/2013 10:20

spurdon - 5/11/2013 14:20

A discussion on where this perverse me as the star of my own reality show culture has taken us, is long over due. I don't even have a face book page EX, because when I first became aware of them I quickly noticed how similar they all were. They are page after page of people trying to give the impression of a life lived well instead of simply living."Here's me in front the Grand Canyon, the Pyramid at Giza, Sandy hook high school." With zero thought spared for the increasingly blurred line between what is a public and private moment. These so called "Selfies" are the logical extension of an idea reinforced by the ubiquity of social media, that every aberrant thought has to be filmed, shared and disseminated because it must be of interest to my "followers" "Friends" ect. It disgusts me.
Click to expand...

I'm glad to say that (as far as I know) it just seems to be a craze driven by snapchat and no the horrible 'selfies' example that's mentioned above..

Perhaps it's just another example of the law of unintended consequences that technology use seems to spring up with all the time...

It's seems the kids don't think about it too deeply (why should they?) and is just seen as 'fun'....I was more commentating on the fact that I've always been able to get/understand what my children were doing, but this one just baffled me...

It was my first ever experience of feeling old where my children were concerned I guess!

I detest reality shows and fortunately my children pretty much think they're shallow examples of the 'celeb' culture and pretty much say as much.

I never understood or like BB, and fortunately for me, nor did or do they, as for the whole social media bit, it does tend to scream 'look at me'...but then people in some form or another have always done that, even if it was 'let me show you our holiday pics'....

Largely, I think social media and the whole 'followers' bit is a replacement for what was once close family and friends and as we've built new/different relationships/networks it was a natural extension of this trend...

Anyway, I'd been working with a modern anthropologist whose 'job' is to predict future technology usage and trends as she interprets modern or developing trends (in other works predict where researchers should be applying their efforts) and I'd ask her to explain'selfies' to me - and she said basically it's the same desire/motivation that cavemen had to put themselves/record themselves as they painted/carved on the cave wall !!

So maybe nothings actually changed that much?!
Click to expand...

But of course you do have a great face for radio. ex… :33:
 
I have to say, I really don't get the selfie, Facebook, twitter hype and need to publish your innermost thoughts, feelings and images. perhaps I'm just too old and cynical?
 
oxfordspur - 6/11/2013 11:39

I have to say, I really don't get the selfie, Facebook, twitter hype and need to publish your innermost thoughts, feelings and images. perhaps I'm just too old and cynical?
Click to expand...

As you know, I work with VC's and they're all looking for the next social media killer development to invest in, (as the business models are almost nuts), but when the usage numbers are there, values leave reality behind.

As an experienced 'dot-commer', I do get it, but have to say I just can't buy into the culture and mindset that you have to have to be a consumer of these platforms - let alone what info you hand over to the US when you do...LOL!

Perhaps it is just another example of age related displacement?!
 
I thought they were like 'onesies'

I'm totally with Don on this one except I have a FAcebook page........but never look at it. This selfies craze looks to me like just more pathetic, pointless self-promotion and the ever present need to be 'in with the cool crowd' no matter who they upset.

Time to take your strap to the kids Ex!
 
ST2 - 6/11/2013 12:28

I thought they were like 'onesies'

I'm totally with Don on this one except I have a FAcebook page........but never look at it. This selfies craze looks to me like just more pathetic, pointless self-promotion and the ever present need to be 'in with the cool crowd' no matter who they upset.

Time to take your strap to the kids Ex!
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I wonder is it any worse or pointless as some of the crazes that 'our' generation have seen ? (now how long would that list of crazes in the last 30 years be?)

LOL!

Does anyone dare (or even want to or need to) strap their kids now?!! :21:
 
Big facebook user as with family life takes over and i find it difficult to maintain friendships in any other way due to time constraints. I have friends that i keep in touch with on a daily basis on FB but havent seen them for 5yrs. These are guys i have been mates with for 20+years. You just get used to it.

Not into the selfie stuff. I thought it was some kind of sexual thing until i read further. I quite like the Miley Cirus twerking thing but thats another story.

Anyhow, my lad who is 11 soon wants a facebook acount. I have refused and pointed out that 13 is the minimum age by the rules but i believe all his friends have the,m
 
Littlest Hobo - 6/11/2013 13:16

Big facebook user as with family life takes over and i find it difficult to maintain friendships in any other way due to time constraints. I have friends that i keep in touch with on a daily basis on FB but havent seen them for 5yrs. These are guys i have been mates with for 20+years. You just get used to it.

Not into the selfie stuff. I thought it was some kind of sexual thing until i read further. I quite like the Miley Cirus twerking thing but thats another story.

Anyhow, my lad who is 11 soon wants a facebook acount. I have refused and pointed out that 13 is the minimum age by the rules but i believe all his friends have the,m
Click to expand...

I had the same problem with my daughter and having a FB account. We knew nearly all her friends had them and in that it isolates your child, by being without. what we did say was that she had to have us a friends, so we could at least have the ability/threat of checking her posts etc.

As they get used to the site, we know they private message etc, but it is the short term that worried us most.
 
Someone mentioned snapchat. I don't have it, but have seen it. When we got back from Rhodes in September, the girl in front of me in the queue to passport control had her phone out taking video/picture after video/picture of herself. I was baffled. I'll admit I tried to get in one of them pulling a stupid face, but I don't know if I was successful or not :17:
 
spursgirl_4_life - 6/11/2013 14:33

Someone mentioned snapchat. I don't have it, but have seen it. When we got back from Rhodes in September, the girl in front of me in the queue to passport control had her phone out taking video/picture after video/picture of herself. I was baffled. I'll admit I tried to get in one of them pulling a stupid face, but I don't know if I was successful or not :17:
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It as I that mentioned snapchat; it is the app that seems to have driven the craze amongst kids for 'selfies'.

I'm still baffled at it, but as my daughter said 'it's kids stuff, it doesn't have to make sense, and next year it will be something else!'''

She's probably right too.
 
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