Amidst an incessant quest for likes, retweets, favorites, and hypes, it's easy to imagine a modern world in which we all take ourselves and each other a bit too seriously. But is it easy to justify this lifestyle?
I'm as guilty of this practice as anyone. If Facebook and Twitter have taught us anything, it's that there's at least one person out there who will find your most recent paper cut a cute and charming anecdote rather than a frivolous and pitiful demonstration of delicacy, a label to which my grandparents would most likely cling.
While most of us don't go so far as to document every hair on our chinny chin chins, we do often treat something as minuscule as last night's ravioli as if it's a masterpiece worthy of universal reverence. Now, this is not to say such amusement is completely unwarranted or reprehensible in the least. The problem in my mind lies in society's blind acceptance of an unnecessary reality.
How, you might ask, can I critique the web so harshly when the mere existence of my *blog* would be impossible without the very platform on which all social media rests? Well, I'm not going to argue that the internet doesn't possess a host of unprecedented networking and sharing opportunities. What I will maintain is that humanity has fallen, if subconsciously and/or half-heartedly, into a trap of inundation rather than of flotation. What I mean by this is, we should not feel as though we have to post duck faces or blatant expressions of inadequacy every day in order to feel beautiful and wanted. On the contrary, we should open up social media as we would a mailbox--something of occasional pleasure or benefit--rather than as we would a refrigerator--something that feeds our survival.
If you truly enjoy creating tiny microcosm upon microcosm of your life on the web, then by all means, do so. The materials are right there at your disposal. But please, realize that moderation and disassociation are entirely in your power if you so choose.
Even a rock can sink, but only the most buoyant of mind can float.
Rise above,
Amanda :)
Collar: Ann Taylor (out of stock; similar style ON SALE here). Top: ON SALE at Banana Republic. Pants: ON SALE at Banana Republic. Shoes: H&M (old).
All photos by Eric Pan.
While most of us don't go so far as to document every hair on our chinny chin chins, we do often treat something as minuscule as last night's ravioli as if it's a masterpiece worthy of universal reverence. Now, this is not to say such amusement is completely unwarranted or reprehensible in the least. The problem in my mind lies in society's blind acceptance of an unnecessary reality.
How, you might ask, can I critique the web so harshly when the mere existence of my *blog* would be impossible without the very platform on which all social media rests? Well, I'm not going to argue that the internet doesn't possess a host of unprecedented networking and sharing opportunities. What I will maintain is that humanity has fallen, if subconsciously and/or half-heartedly, into a trap of inundation rather than of flotation. What I mean by this is, we should not feel as though we have to post duck faces or blatant expressions of inadequacy every day in order to feel beautiful and wanted. On the contrary, we should open up social media as we would a mailbox--something of occasional pleasure or benefit--rather than as we would a refrigerator--something that feeds our survival.
If you truly enjoy creating tiny microcosm upon microcosm of your life on the web, then by all means, do so. The materials are right there at your disposal. But please, realize that moderation and disassociation are entirely in your power if you so choose.
Even a rock can sink, but only the most buoyant of mind can float.
Rise above,
Amanda :)
Collar: Ann Taylor (out of stock; similar style ON SALE here). Top: ON SALE at Banana Republic. Pants: ON SALE at Banana Republic. Shoes: H&M (old).
All photos by Eric Pan.
Love this outfit!
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Amanda, your insight is too important. Thank you for concretizing my thoughts into such beautiful language.
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