Reading Blog #1

I really enjoyed how the article compared selfies to self-portraits. It is interesting how we can look at a selfie and a self-portrait and sometimes the only commonality we can find is that they are both of a face. Initially I think we are quick to dismiss the selfie and as they mentioned in the article, write it off as “low quality”. Unlike self-portraits, selfies are easy to take and it could be argued that they require little to no artistic skill. Traditional photography portraits are also viewed as “higher quality” than selfies. I like that the article talked about how both are simply a form of self-expression and the idea that the “depicted person is different, unique, special in a sense of a personality trait”. The article mentions how selfies should not be perceived as pathological narcissism and while I agree that most people are not taking selfies because they are narcissistic, I do think that both selfies and self-portraits can be viewed as something cultivated in vanity. I think that the evolution of selfies and the influx of selfie culture can be greatly attributed to history’s self-portraits. Historically, self-portraits are of important figures or a way of celebrating individuals. I think this is deeply connected to selfie culture because we are trying to mirror the significance of portraits. Portraits are created for important people and I think the human condition of needing purpose/recognition feeds into selfie culture. Both selfies and self-portraits are somewhat rooted in validation and popularity.