Essena O’Neill's recent actions to terminate her social media accounts and image can be argued in many different ways- inspiring, stupid, logical, illogical etc. I personally believe that Essena is still participating in what Jose Van Dijk calls a “culture of connectivity” ultimately engaging in a social exchange based on neoliberal economic principles.
It’s the little details on various platforms that have allowed me to come to this position. First of all, her new website which she claims is a more “real and authentically inspirational version of herself.” As soon as you go to the webpage BAM, there’s her name in large letters. If her main goal of the website is to “change the game” shouldn’t that be the heading/title with the largest letters? She’s essentially using her pre-established name to help support the success of this new venture.
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Second of all, the little "Support This" tab is straight up asking for monetary support! The very foundation of a capitalist economy and the modern social (web) world. With Essena’s previous social media account she had lots of financial support from large companies, modelling agencies etc. which help her get by and put her at in a favourable position within the popularity principle and on a high social ranking within the Instagram world. Essena claimed in her YouTube video "Why I REALLY am Quitting Social Media" - that she’s done for good- but here she is after a short time, back again with a new platform. She may claim that she’s trying to portray a more genuine/authentic version of herself and life- but she’s still asking for monetary support, continuously posting and ultimately participating in a culture of connectivity. If this website was merely to inform people of a “true and genuine” life- wouldn’t she just do it out of the good of her heart and not ask for money?
Hey Heather,
ReplyDeleteTo start off, I 100% agree that Essena O’Neills video can be looked at from many different perspectives such as “inspiring, stupid, logical, illogical” as you mentioned in your post. There are two ways of looking at the story from two completely different ends of the spectrum.
I think that it was a great idea of doing further research into Essena O’Neill, such as visiting her website, which I for one didn’t even know existed. In my opinion before reading this post my stance on her confession video leaned more towards the idea that O’Neill was reaching out to her followers in an innocent way and not just hungry for more attention. With evidence such as having a ‘support’ tab or the fact that she still uses her old branding methods on her ‘new and approved’ website, makes me lean towards the side of her wanting that minute in the spotlight.
With Essena O’Neill saying, “social media is her career” I think it is important to keep in mind that she is still a teenager and at most has only recently finished high school. In my opinion, I think that O’Neill has so much time to decide what she wants to do for an “actual” career - I mean I’m in my last year of university and still don’t have a clear head of where I’m going.