That's Not Me Unless I Say So

By Not the Territory · Feb 6, 2022 · 452 · 4

...or "You don't even have to read between the lines anymore."

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kelseyweekman/instagram-avatars-meta-facebook

Sure, Buzzfeed writers definitely don't represent their generations (and this one quite clearly has a Zuck-positive agenda), but I can't ignore how illustrative this is.

From the Author:

"My experience with online avatars started in elementary school, when I used my profiles for online games like Millsberry and My Scene to determine if I really hated wearing pink or just wanted to subvert gendered expectations. In college, my little brunette Bitmoji one day magically became blonde, and weeks later I did too (though it involved a lot more chemicals and money). Even now, I hop onto the website Picrew when I would rather look at a cartoon version of myself with perfect makeup clutching an iced coffee than scroll through a thousand imperfect selfies that don’t reflect how I want people to see me."

Questions lurk.

1. Only selfies. Why is no one else taking pictures of her?
2. How can, out of thousands of pictures, not so much as one of them represent her?
3. Note the word usage: "...when I would rather look at..." turns into "...imperfect selfies that don't reflect how I want people to see me." Her, other people, or both?

She goes on:

"Justin Hochberg, CEO and cofounder of Virtual Brand Group, told me that the self-expression allowed by digital avatars can be 'life-changing.'

'It’s terribly unfortunate that people cringe at the thought of allowing people to be who they are and not who you expect them to be,' he said. 'I think that says more about how they feel about themselves.'"

This is satirical, truly.

You could be reading this and thinking, "So what? Avatars aren't a big deal. It's harmless fun." You are correct. The harm has already been done decades past.
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Google+
- LinkedIn
- Pintrest
- Reddit
- Tumblr
- eMail
Foxxx likes this.

Comments

"So you're repressing your inner desire to be an anime girl." - Freud probably

The more "public" the online environment, the less likely I am to use an actual picture of myself. With something like Facebook or Instagram where I can make my profile super private and only add family or friends, occasionally maybe co-workers, I'm okay with using a real picture of myself.

I don't hate how I look, although I wouldn't say I necessarily love it either. idk, it sounds like that buzzfeed author has some issues with their personal appearance that are more than just minor.

I don't know if escapism is truly harmless. Speaking as someone who has spent over a year of their life escaping into video games. That's a year of my life I could've spent on developing myself in a multitude of dimensions. It's not impossible, but it's difficult to untrain escapism. Led me to drug abuse. Results may vary, I guess.

All the multiverse is going to do is make most people feel even more disconnected imo. I'm tired of not being able to get face-to-face doctor appointments or therapy because every other person now thinks that virtual is better somehow. It's a good ADDITIONAL option. NOT a long-term replacement / substitute.

jim onion, Feb 6, 2022
AKA Shadow Projection writ large and enabled by the internet. Says the Rabbi who is not a Rabbi.

Who is now Alfred E Neuman.

Xoic, Feb 6, 2022
@Foxxx,
I mean, internet handles in a place like this are necessity. Weeb away, I say. It's more the new substitution I see in places that normally have real pictures replaced with a myspace avatar or w/e that seems to be the upcoming symptom.

Your hypothesis that she has issues with personal image is absolutely valid and probably even the case. Where does the neurosis stem from, though? Damn the Occam Razor; the "too many instagram/tabloid models setting unrealistic expectations" notion seems a fraction of the whole picture and is too forgiving, anyway. It steals neurotic responsibility from the sufferer.

Fair point that escapism can exacerbate the issue, further inhibit growth. I've hidden in video games and books plenty. I'm less mature than some people 5 years younger than myself because of this, and so much time in passive activities has left me mentally slow. The cost and benefit create a positive feedback loop. Where do you draw the line, though? Avoidance vectors include substances, sex, and even socializing in general. I guess some methods have more of a peripheral benefit than others, and moderation is what really matters.

@Xoic,
I'm not familiar with the specifics of the term, so forgive me, but isn't the shadow self something that we don't like to acknowledge? This seems overt to me. Once you slap that on your avatar, that's YOU now, as far as you and everyone else is concerned.

Or is your point more leaning that this is seeking approval from an unrealistic muse we wouldn't otherwise acknowledge, an aspect of the shadow self wrapped up in the nu-positive word 'expression?'

Not the Territory, Feb 7, 2022
@Not the Territory Very sloppy of me. It's actually more of a false persona. Geez, I'm really slipping!

Xoic, Feb 7, 2022

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That's Not Me Unless I Say So

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