When we look in the mirror what do we see? A reflection of
oneself. In the 21st century a mirror is not the only way we project
our self and now our mediatised world has captured our image, plastering it for
the world to see. This goes beyond entertainment and yes Big Brother, The Shire
(which I feel embarrassed to refer to in my blog) and the likes of Bondi Rescue
all capture an identity that is now exposed to the wider community. Such shows
have ‘allowed the development of a surplus economy related to personalities and
a different structure through which the famed construct their public image’.
(Marshall, 2010, p.498) Today this is referred to as the “SPECULAR ECONOMY” where individuals
are becoming more conscious about how they represent themselves in order for
others to perceive them in a way that they want. But let’s bring this discussion
a little closer to home.
Heard of the word – “SELFIE?” Nowadays its normal to give a
pout in the bathroom mirror, then post it on Facebook or Instagram, tag yourself
where you are and ask for ‘likes’. ‘We are constantly placing ourselves as with
the simple technology of the mirror, into the picture and onto the screen’. (Marshall, 2010, p.499) By
making ourselves mediatised we are putting ourselves in a position to be noticed
and strive for power. This self-constructed spectacle is viewed by millions
around the world, a scary thought that we do forget. The dangers of this
mediatised world – stalkers, and there are many out there! Although it is
practically impossible to estimate how many there are, you only have to Google
the issue and many statistics will pop up thus recognising that it is a
problem. But with the bad comes the good – we all know how Justin Bieber became
the name of thousands of screaming girls!
References:
Marshall, P.D 2010, ‘The Specular Economy’, Society, vol. 47, no. 16, pp.498-92.
Images are from the website Tumblr (how Ironic!) www.tumblr.com.
You're so right, when you say now its come to a point where people are only conscious of how they are in comparison to how people will perceive them. I've got to say im a culprit of it as well sometimes, in the sense that when i step out of my house i make sure i dress up well and do my hair and make up in a certain way on basis of what type of club im going to and how the people of that club will perceive me. You are right, there is a negative aspect to the mediatised world and we tend to forget that when we get all trapped in our own little worlds.
ReplyDelete