I think the infamous pop singer Beyoncé Knowles said it best, “Perfection is a disease of a nation, pretty hurts pretty hurts.” This quote is taken from her hit song Pretty Hurts on her latest album titled BEYONCE. The significance of this particular quote in relation to CMC is that, it is geared toward the concept of identity. Identity is one of the main themes in which we explore, when discussing Computer Mediated Communications. To begin, asking the question “What is an identity” is appropriate. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines identity as: the qualities, beliefs, etc. that make a particular person or group different from others. In further words, although we have a lot of similarities, there are quarks about us that make us unique.
The traditional way of viewing identity, explains how we have one stable true self. This true self is to remain with us forever. The contemporary way of viewing identity, explains how we can construct multiple identities for ourselves throughout life. As a result of the advancements in technology, especially social networking, I have been able to notice that CMC is having a more positive correlation between one of the views over the other. On social media, and networks, the objective is usually to create profiles in which best depict ourselves as individuals. I think it is a mutual assumption that honesty was expected in the original phases. I can attest that honesty is often what lacks when it comes to the internet use of today. This is as a result of the absence of physical appearances (face-to-face) when communicating online. Without that insurance, not only do the non –physical aspects of a person occasionally get altered, but so can the physical. The contemporary view of identity is not only permitting us to be flexible about our identities, but allowing for people to have multiple of them in different social settings. For example, I am not the same Normani on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and so on.
My twitter is used for my own personal data collection. My twitter does not have a lot to say about me because I do not post what I am feeling or thinking. I only like to do research on Twitter to find out how others are feeling. My twitter makes me look reserved. On Facebook, I am a young female student, waking up every morning with one goal in mind, to be successful in the area of education. The reason has a lot to do with the social settings of my Facebook. I am only connected to my family members, and close friends. I try to keep it as appropriate as possible. Then there is Instagram. Instagram has allowed me to portray myself as this travel feen, and food connoisseur. I also tend to appear as what my peers consider a “Turn Up Queen.” My photos, captions, and bios are strictly for my friends and a few cool looking strangers. For that site I tend to be a little more unrefined. Next I have a WhatsApp that connects me to my really close friends. For the most part my quick videos on this social network expresses the funnier side of my character making me appear to be a humorist. I can be a free spirit. Finally, I have a LinkedIn. On this site, I am a young thriving individual, working to gain the attentiveness, and interest of many potential future employers. I appear super professional and appeal to a more mature crowd of individuals. I am only connected and known through business oriented situations on LinkedIn. All in all, my point is that I have been able to pick and choose the identity I want for each social site; although they are all a part of me, only certain characteristics are emphasized on specific websites.
Studies and statistics have shown that there has been an increase in “liking” when interacting, and meeting with others online. Researchers are finding that the way we present ourselves to our peers on social media is increasing their “liking” oppose to face-to-face. Just as we are able to be who we want to be, they are allowed to imagine us the way in which they like. It has also been revealed that fifty percent of relationships are moved from the internet to face-to-face. The anonymity of individuals, and their disclosing of the selected information about their selves, has created a trust among the social networking community. Anonymity supports self-disclosure, enabling others to feel close to you.
In conclusion, I want to revert back to the title of this post, as well as the initial quote I shared. “I've Never Met A Person I've Only Met An Ego,” is suitable for this post simply, because it is true. Egos are the conscious part of our identities. Our ego pushes for us to pick and choose the information in which we want to share when we meet others. Meeting face-to-face gave us that only opportunity to make our own opinions about individuals. But, due to the rise in technology, that option is almost obsolete. The majority of the time when we meet people online, we only know what they have shared with us. Since they are conscious decisions about what they disclose, we always get to meet there egos. Finally, the last thought is in reference to Beyoncé’s quote, “Perfection is a disease of a nation, pretty hurts pretty hurts.” On social networking, we commonly try to portray ourselves as perfect individuals. We long and desire for the approval of our peers. Most individuals on social media criticizes and down talk others, causing self-consciousness among ourselves as people. We pick and choose what we want to disclose in order to appear as what our perception of perfect is in a situation.
Written By: Normani Marbury
You got it to work!!
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