Faking Flawless Smiles

The term ‘selfie’ entered the Oxford Dictionary back in 2013, which was around the time smartphones with front-facing cameras were released. From a psychological perspective, the taking of selfies is a self-oriented action that allows users to establish their individuality and self-importance; it is also associated withpersonalitytraits such asnarcissism. The selfie-taking is more than just the taking of a photograph. It can include the editing of the color and contrast, the changing of backgrounds, and the addition of other effects before uploading.The hashtag ‘selfie’ has over 368 million posts on Instagram, and every generation is joining in with the craze.

On March 31, 2014,a story appeared on a website called theAdobo Chroniclesthat claimed that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) had classed “selfitis” as a new mental disorder. According to the author, the organization had defined selfitis as “the obsessive compulsive desire to take photos of one’s self and post them on social media as a way to make up for the lack of self-esteemand to fill a gap inintimacy."

Taking in accounts the data,India has the largest total number of Facebook country. Also it accounts for more selfie-related deaths in the world compared to any other country with a reported 76 deaths reported out of a total of 127 worldwide since 2014. Selfies can be a really polarizing thing as people see them as a way to share one's experiences with a network of friends and family and document memories. Social media filled with perfectly captured “beautiful” faces builds room of self-hate to the group who begin to think that its fair colour that matters the most. And this is how the journey to supposed “shaming” of oneself begins.

Kathryn Miles, a writer for Outside Magazine, digs into this question in her recent article titled "Selfie Deaths Are an Epidemic". She focuses on the story of Gigi Wu, a climber who was internet-famous for posting selfies in bikinis on the peaks of various mountains. Wu died after suffering a fall during a climb and ultimately succumbing to hyperthermia before rescuers could get to her. Such case are soo common in India where you can hear random news of accidents that occurred while taking “selfies”.

THE PATTERN

Selfie taking follows a cyclic pattern. Dressing up perfect and find a suitable catchy background. Trying on to hide the blemishes of the face and swiping to see which filter fits best. Once captured the photo goes for the second round of observation where in all extra fat afre toned and “perfect” face cut is attained. Uploaded photo then is eagerly watched as the anxiety to get maximum likes and comments kicks in. this pattern eventually builds up negative image of you own self in your mind.

In the age where we search for high megapixel front camera, we tend to forget how beautiful it can be to accept the real self. Not accepting as you are, you bend to desire the “perfect”.

Is accepting the real not included in the perfect bracket? If not, why?

HE DIED MOMENTS AFTER CLICKING THIS "EXTRAVAGANT BRAVE" SELFIE