"LikeForLike"
Baym discusses a number of theoretical perspectives on the unpremeditated relationship between technology, which is used in our everyday lives, as well as the social and our innate ability to communicate. One of Baym’s theoretical perspectives being – the ‘Social shaping of technology’. This theory essentially lands in the middle of a broad spectrum of technological determinism and social construction of technology, two other major theoretical perspectives that Baym discusses.
Baym discusses a number of theoretical perspectives on the unpremeditated relationship between technology, which is used in our everyday lives, as well as the social and our innate ability to communicate. One of Baym’s theoretical perspectives being – the ‘Social shaping of technology’. This theory essentially lands in the middle of a broad spectrum of technological determinism and social construction of technology, two other major theoretical perspectives that Baym discusses.
Within the article “The Prom Queen of
Instagram”, anxieties of interactivity of new digital media are particularly
present. Lilli Hymowitz who is considerably “Instagram famous”, as well as a
variety of other young females, males, and even objects (such as Barbies) and
animals have this need to filter their photographs and post to suit the needs
of their thousands sometimes millions of followers. Hymowitz writes “I think
people think I’m cooler than I am”, basing her popularity solely of her edited
lifestyle plastered on social media, in comparison to how she is actually in
real life, not on social media. Many individuals use these types of outlets to
hide behind, and give their followers what they expect to receive so in turn
she obtains more and more “likes”.
Baym discusses that, “Social media
platforms engineer particular kinds of sociality even as their users develop
norms around their use” (Baym, 51). I believe that technology and social media
has created this desire to be “liked”
within upcoming generations. The idea of constantly being logged in, or in
touch with technology has people creating unrealistic identities, such as “The
Prom queen of Instagram”. People envy her life, which in reality it is probably
edited and fabricated so she gives her followers what they like to see, and
like to “like”. Therefore, social shaping of technology has evolved and
targeted the anxiety about the interactivity of new digital media, for example Instagram,
through our distinctive desire to be desired.
It's very interesting to analyze the act of posting a photo of yourself, your face, or a personal attribute and sending it out to the world (or your following) to be evaluated. How could someone's self worth not be somewhat predicated on the number of likes they receive, however subconscious it may be.
ReplyDeleteTaylor I agree with you point that social media has created this desire to be 'liked'. I feel as it is almost a need for some people in order for them to feel some type of reassurance that they are important and loved. It is unfortunate that people need this reassurance in this particular way, as they can easily find love within their family and their friends. Overall, with this viewpoint on the social shaping of technology I agree that this desire is one that we see through Lilli in her significant number of followers on Instagram.
ReplyDeleteGreat point Alexandria! It is unfortunate that in the society we live in today, people desire the reassurance of almost popularity.
ReplyDelete