Filtered Reality and Serial Selfies by Jill Walker Rettberg

In Jill Walker Rettberg’s discussion of filters, she reminds us of their many functions; coffee filters, cigarettes, even the clothes dryer. Things we don’t give a great deal of thought to, just accept as the norm. But filters extend beyond these simple purposes as an active part of our culture. Technological filters such as the baby journals she mentions, are one example. I remember trying to fill in all the correct areas in those books, when I had my kids. Sometimes, there were sections that did not apply to our experiences, so I did exactly what she said—placed photos or other memorabilia over them, to record what was really going on. But as a new Mom, I was concerned we were missing important firsts for our baby daughter; luckily, I had other moms at work who reassured me those sections were not for everyone. That made me feel better, and looking back, the “firsts” it contained were helpful prompts and the ones that didn’t apply made me try and create them for that book!

As for Twitter, it really does inhibit long-form writing—says the long-winded newcomer who quickly saw the need for brevity in my tweets. That is not just a filter but a constraint on my thoughts; sometimes I have trouble saying my peace in 140 characters. I am, however, trying…Other technological filters refer to self-representation, often through photos and the filters applied to express ourselves as we want others to perceive us. Possibly because of my age, I do not partake freely in this; I was never happy with my photographed self as I felt the person in the picture was not the person I perceived as me. When I saw a photo I liked of myself, I readily saved that one! If I were a younger lady, I would probably be taking many selfies until I could capture that version of “Debbie” I wanted the world to see. These chapters actually put in words what I have seen with many of my fellow students, especially younger theatre friends, and my nieces. My own children must be more like me, as they rarely post a new photo (unless they are holding a baby or two). But the ability to freely take photos until you get a good one is quite a treat after waiting to get your pictures developed only to find out you look like Frankenstein’s bride instead of your favorite Cover Girl model...

I liked the concept behind “365 Grateful” as I too believe there is beauty in many things we see in our everyday experiences; this should remind all people to be grateful for these little things, lest they be gone. Filters added to them perhaps create something far more beautiful than the ordinary, or simply draw focus to the grace of simplicity. This idea relates to Victor Shklonsky’s theory of “defamiliarisation” and the purpose of art in general. Making something unfamiliar—out of the ordinary—changes one perception of it’s worth. Cool idea.

 “Skinnee Pix” sounds like my generation having their photo air-brushed or touched-up by the studio; I guess if it helps to improve one’s self-image, people will use it. One thing I found fascinating was the problem with lighting pictures for the best results; lighting does not work the same for light-skinned people as for dark-skinned people. This seems like an obvious detail, but how to take pictures of both skin types together?

Evidently, people accepted this as being a scientific problem; the film‘s fault. Although the problem was noted as far back as the 1950’s, nothing was addressed until the 1970’s when Kodak developed their Gold Max film which worked for all skin tones. One would think this could have been corrected sooner, but looking at the racial issues of the time, the delay is self-explanatory and very sad. What was far worse was the “stereotypical drawings of Africans in the mid-twentieth century” (29) which distorted images in an unflattering way. Such negative cultural filters were an impetus for people, like McFadden, to perfect taking their own picture rather than trust any other photographer with getting their photo the way they want it to be seen.

Genres as filters directly relates to what we are doing with these blogs, making it of interest to me. The ability to go back through our posts and see if our opinions or our growth as writers has changed, the knowledge these entries are documented and dated—is all exciting. But the words are only what we choose to share--filtered. Many customs, traditions, and rituals are filtered to avoid cultural misundertandings or prejudicial treatment. Our culture is filtered in many ways that we never think about, but simply accept as our norm.

I love the self-presentations discussed in Chapter 3; Szucs kept with it for fifteen years, from Polaroids (my Dad’s favorite) to selfies. Such cumulative self-presentations are not new, but one has to be thick-skinned enough to see themselves every day, looking whatever way, and feel strong enough about the statement they are making to be public with their pics!

Time-lapse selfies were another approach; one has to be committed to their art to accept people’s ignorant comments. But both Ahree Lee and Noah Kalina also received positive feedback, and an exorbitant response through YouTube; this became so popular, they now have apps to help one create such videos. Karl Baden’s twenty-years of daily photos was even more of a statement, as he remained expressionless, bare shouldered, and in front of a white wall. And the progression of Rebecca Brown as she grew from a happy 14 year-old to a young woman of 21, documenting her depression, hair loss and regrowth, complete with explanatory notes, really is an inside view of this girl’s visual and emotional identity over time.

Which brings up profile photos and visual identity. Are they coercive, or used to connect oneself to a group or cause? That would depend on the person, and what they want their picture to express. danah boyd’s intervention for the young man who had photos on his MySpace account is a great example. He posted pictures to insure acceptance in his neighborhood, but the profile he created almost ruined his chance for college admittance. Defining oneself through photos, and social media, can be unacceptable in many situations. Luckily, boyd spoke in the young man’s defense, but not everyone is that lucky. Filters can work both ways.

Automatic portraits or the photo booth will always remind me of Woolworths. These were a lot like selfies, because people felt free to act any way they wanted behind the privacy of the photo booth curtain. Inside, couples kissed, people looked sexy, silly, tried new hairdos, poses or anything they could think of—just like selfies. The control was less—the camera might flash before you were ready—but the feeling was the same. Once you put the coin in the slot you were the one in charge of the camera—at least until the flashes began. You were in: “The curious combination of intimate, hidden space within a public setting” (44), getting ready for your private photo shoot. With selfies, there is the same line between what one decides they will make public, and what they will keep private. The freedom to express the real person, and then discard the picture if it is not what you wanted, is a throwback to the photo booth, only better!

White Flight and Ferguson Revisited; Isn't it Finally Time for Change? authors danah boyd and Robert P. Jones

My thoughts after reading danah boyd’s enjoyable, enlightening piece.

 So, kids still separate into groups or cliques like they’ve always done once they reach puberty, if not sooner. By then they know who they feel more comfortable with, who shares common interests and values, and establish themselves—to some extent—within a group of peers. This is normal and expected; as a teen, it is essential to identify with others who not only think but also feel the same about important “teen” issues—boys/ girls, dating, sex, drugs, sports, school, clubs, music (STOP ME PLEASE!) Now, these are often kids from similar backgrounds, families, religions, locales, expectations and rules, which is not unusual either. BUT, if kids are purposely labeling specific groups as the “other” it suggests they are voicing perceptions of their society. Sadly, but not always, this begins with parental suggestions, but when that is not the springboard, the actions and reactions of their peers—who they identify with—help to create this self-segregation process.

The idea of moving from one social media network to another is comparable to my generation moving from AM radio (loud, popular, accepted and endorsed) to the subcultural draw of FM radio (heavier rock & roll, less commercials, coolness personified…). Most teens want to be as “in” as their peers, and now that involves social media choices. Sadly, even they carry social stigma and seem to be race-based to many teens across the country. Luckily for me, growing up in Hudson County has always provided me a diverse variety of friends, schoolmates, and lifetime peers up to and including my present co-workers—my “friends” on Facebook look like a league of nations!

This is a marvelous mix of wonderful people who all have the same beliefs and concerns despite different backgrounds. I never really gave it much thought until reading boyd’s paper. I grew up during a period where segregation was being battled and cheering for its demise was the obvious choice; at least to me, as a young person who saw it as hateful and stupid. Current events reflected this mentality by many—but not all—and the explosive nature of everything on the evening news displayed wrong things going on and the need for immediate change. As an older person who works and goes to school with a delightful mix of people from so many rich, diverse cultures, I still see (on the evening news) so many parts of our country, including people I never suspected, never progressed beyond those narrow minds and wrong things I witnessed in my youth. Racism and reverse-racism is alive and well; I am thankful it does not impact me personally but I look at my children—who I raised to treat all people as they hope to be treated—and my grandchildren, who will be impacted by this lingering stupidity.

Boyd’s essay reflects a certain snobbery among Facebook users towards an implied ghetto/ low-class following on MySpace. Only having joined Facebook recently (2014), I turn to my older son who was that teen who had to follow the popular trends. MySpace was his thing; a cool page with pictures and music UNTIL he met a “girl” who turned out to be an older, LARGER, toothless, white woman in the Pine Barrens. She lured him with false information (and false photos) to a trailer littered with beer cans and trash; he made excuses and escaped through a bathroom window (he was quite trim) into the woods and ran like hell to Route 9 and safety. Despite his comical recount, I was relieved when he left MySpace for the newer, cooler Facebook. Because many teens are like my son was back then, whatever is deemed "newer or cooler" among ones friends/ connections is the way to go, regardless of race, color, or society.

The comparisons listed to compare digital white flight among teens across the nation bears much truth; again, I am thankful my kids were raised in an area where they had multi-racial friends and their norm was diversity. When we moved to the shore to be close to my Mom, (inadvertently, our white flight) we were all astonished at the obvious racial divide in that area. Which brings my attention back to the disturbing story of Ferguson. After following this so closely on the news, I was only a little surprised at the intentional blind eye so many white-Americans turned on this event. What I see is only sadder because of the hard work and sacrifices of many who have fought to break this type of thinking, it nonetheless still exists. Capehart’s column was especially disturbing. As a Mom, but a white Mom, I have told my sons to not talk back to police; this after we moved to South Jersey where we were not members of the “old-boys club.”

That experience was eye-opening and my friends at work, African-American friends, were able to offer advice and sympathy. No parents should have to face those fears for their children and only be able to hope that their child will be “obedient” instead of a responsible, self-reliant young adult. Respect should be given to all and if one loses it through their own fault, they must find how to regain it respectfully. Color, ethnicity, and diversity are what make us a melting-pot we call USA; isn’t it finally time to embrace that?

Elizabeth Losh: Selfie Pedagogy in Four Parts... Who would have Ever imagined this was a valuable source for Study!

                As I looked at this week’s discussion, and opened the various links, I asked myself how we have gotten to this place in both academia and sociality where we "study selfies."  Of course, I then read what Elizabeth Losh was doing, the fascinating stories, essays, a class syllabus, blogposts, signed up for the NYU’s Theresa Senft website and was sent her PDF “Microcelebrity and the Branded Self.” This all made it very easy to grasp the potential. Many scholars are actively studying the effects of selfie culture and the reasons for both its wide acceptance and mass popularity. I come from a generation of taking pictures to remember special moments—and then waiting impatiently for them to be developed, hoping you came out looking good, and managed to capture the essence of the moment (without cutting anyone’s head off, having sun glare destroy the whole thing, or accidentally putting your thumb on the lens). Of course, if you owned a Polaroid Instamatic, you could have a photo in 60 seconds---WOW! Quick pictures were at Woolworth’s photo booth, four poses for a quarter---but only in black and white. Don't be frightened at the old photos...

My generation also hoped to capture special moments OR make a statement with our look or style, and having somebody want to photograph us was quite flattering. BUT, rarely (if ever) could we record our own face anytime we felt so compelled, and would have been thought vain if we did. Being involved in the performing arts as a young woman meant I needed a photo portfolio or at least a headshot, and these were expensive tools. Now, one can take their own "headshot" each time they have a new haircut, try some new makeup, or think they look particularly dazzling. We have come a long way baby! Miriam Posner’s UCLA course specifically addresses young adults in this digital age, addressing the use of social media and selfie culture. Liz Losh does a remarkable job of showcasing all these important scholars, their interest and active investment in this new phase of scholarship. There was so much information I felt overwhelmed at times but was amazed at the potential for new pedagogical tools through this seemingly simple facet of social media.

            I really enjoyed the section on NYU’s Theresa Senft; perhaps the fast response added to my curiosity. She put selfie scholarship on the fast track by creating a Facebook group for scholars to join and share “bibliographies, curate images and disseminate new work.” The response was so overwhelming, she had to create a smaller network! “Selfies Research Network” was the result in collaboration with Miriam Posner (UCLA) and Fordham’s Alice E. Marwick. The outcome is a learning environment, creating and researching the Pedagogy of Selfies. This work proves of interest in the fields of psychology and ethnography (to name a few) as well as the value of self-expression. Marwick points out the way people, particularly the younger group growing up in this digital age, use media in strategic ways to increase their popularity. This can be narcissistic, and border on exhibitionism but if they are trying to market themselves professionally (or their strategies will eventually mature into that) they are using these tools wisely. Below is a rare sister selfie.

If instead, they are posting selfies each time they put on new lipstick or wear a sexy dress, the former conclusion may stand. Self portraits are an old concept but not everybody feels comfortable about having one. With today's trend towards selfies, that is rapidly changing. The discussion of Twitter by Marwick and danah boyd talks about “Context collapse and imagined audience.” These are real issues, as people rely on followers, short witty remarks, likes or re-tweets, and (of course) pictures.. Everything must be quick, and visual artifacts have to please an “imagined audience.” Theresa Senft recognized this potential for students to pay attention through pictures instead of “reading in isolation” and used it as a tool. Selfies develop a form of online identity, can work as either self-promotion or self-absorption, star-seeking tool or professional promotion. Camgirls—a term I just learned---seem to have gained popularity, are less subject to scrutiny, and easier to create effectively. On this note, Amanda Todd’s suicide received 19 million views; this sad, vulnerable girl misused the Web once and then suffered consequences beyond her ability to handle. Senft notes: “An image in networked space has value beyond its visual presentation.” Mark Marino and his Code literacy Week from 2010 and its innovative approaches to service learning and selfies fits in with our tentative plans for the final project! And I truly love the concept of Netprov and can easily see where selfies could enhance the improvisational nature of these online presentations. Cannot wait to try that out…