#LESELFIE

As we learned on Tuesday, selfies are a very important aspect of young people's lives - and if not important, still very prevalent. The extremely mediocre television show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills portrays this prevalence. The main ladies spend huge chunks of their days taking selfies, and even further, figuring out what filters to put on them and what social media site to post them on. Selfies are so important to these women in order for them to share their fabulous lives with their friends and - I guess if they have any - fans.

While in Paris, the ladies and their fabulous male friend struggled to find the perfect angle for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower. You can see it here. They discuss the lighting, angle, arm length, and even geometry of the perfect selfie.

This portrayal of the importance of selfies in their lives makes it seem like selfies are ultimately for narcissistic use - one utility that we discussed in class. And there is some truth to that. Their token guy friend remarks "I look great in that one." But there are other reasons for selfies. To remember special trips and events by, to share journeys with, and to stay in the ever-present conversations that are happening on social media these days.

If I wanted to take a picture with friends in front of the Eiffel Tower and had no one else to take it for me, I'd probably spend that much energy on taking a selfie as well. What really is the difference between a selfie and a picture of your face taken by a friend? They have the same utility, but selfies just cut out the middle man. I don't personally take very many selfies, but I support anyone who wants to in an effort to remember their loved ones and special memories - and even if they just look really good that day!

(I would have cited the research done by your student, but I'm not seeing those slides on the cTools page, sorry!)