As
Van Dijck stated, social media and its users portray neoliberal economic
principles as it demonstrates “connectivity derived from continuous pressure,
both from peers and technologies. This pressure expands through competition and
allows social media users to gain power through strategic alliances” (Van Dijck
21). Before deleting her social media account, I think Essena O’Neill greatly demonstrated
Van Dijck’s neoliberal economic principles. Essena said she became obsessed
with checking the number of likes her pictures received. Essena also stated she
teamed up with companies to promote different products. Essena admitted she
could easily make $2000 Australian dollars for each picture she posted.
I
think Essena’s recent actions with regard to deleting her social media account
and outing the social media industry was a failed attempt to oppose Van Dijck’s
neoliberal economic principles. Essena’s new website, Lets Be Game Changers challenges her attempt to be oppositional because
she asks the visitors of the website to donate money to help her with expenses
such as, “building a bigger platform for the site” and to “support her book”.
Although Essena’s approach to social media has changed, I think she is still
supporting Van Dijck’s neoliberal economic principle as she is still attempting
to “gain power through strategic alliances”.
Great post Kara!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that Essena demonstrated Van Dijck's economic principles. It is crazy to think that because she gained such a big followers by her persona online she has the ability to make $2,000 per photo that she posts. I couldn't imagine making that kind of money for posting a photo. This definitely displays how she must take her time to properly take a photo with the right setting, lighting, editing, and caption choices.
Great post I enjoyed reading this!
Hey Kara !
ReplyDeleteA point you brought up that I find to be especially interesting is that despite "quitting social media", O'Neil created her website, "Let's Be Game Changers". Not only that, but she is using her new website raise funds to create a larger platform. I think that this piece is significant in supporting Van Dijck's neoliberal economic principles. O'Neil's desire to grow her website emphasizes how in the current state of our culture, there is great importance placed on social media in extending the reach of a message, and in turn gain social power.
I think her attempt to change consumers perspective will end in failure. Her message, although big and proud, is already something that is history. The fashion and modeling industry will continue to thrive, as we consumers accept what we see, and what we hope to achieve. Desire is a strong feeling and emotion, and sometimes can over power logic on the underlying message of what we see, and how its impossible to achieve that figure.
ReplyDelete