·
Is she/he so consumed with “self” that they’ve
alienated themselves away from peers that may have otherwise taken a photo for
them? (BONUS: the perpetual-selfie-taker could rest their overused
and always-extended-at-an-upper-angle arm!)
·
Has this person ALWAYS had the desire to be the center
of attention? (In some cases, it’s known
to be a resounding “YES!”)
·
Let’s be honest, girls especially will take and
retake their own photo until they get “just the right look”….I suspect if we peeked
at the photo stream on their i-phones, we’d find an overwhelming number of
selfies that didn’t make the cut, yet boldly scream “It’s all about me!”
·
Do these persons not have a greater calling in
life than self-promotion?
·
They need a job…something to fill their time. Do they have any responsibilities? Pets?
Children? (Not to be used as further selfie-rationalization) but to take care
of, invest in, hey – and maybe even to “instagram.”
·
How does she not have carpal tunnel syndrome? (It
does, however, explain the defined triceps…)
·
As focused on “self” as she seems, I suspect she:
complains a lot; overuses phrases such as, “that’s not fair” and “what about
me???” Worst of all: this person
probably has a whopping sense of entitlement. No wonder she has no one to take
her photo!
·
Hmmm… Logic would indicate that the self-enamored
have difficulty maintaining relationships of any kind and fail to take any ownership
for relationship downfalls. (Self-absorbed people never feel like others “do
enough” for them. Seldom, if ever, would
they consider showing gratitude for what is
“done.”)
Some may argue that the dubious “art” indicates a lack of self-confidence. Perhaps this is true in some. However, in the moments I’m least confident – I’d rather HIDE from cameras; NOT pose for, take, filter, manipulate and review 35 images of MYSELF, looking for “just the right one” to post on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Do you think I’m talking to YOU? Don’t grab your phone and start deleting
those self-images, just yet. There are times when – IMHO, an occasional
self-portrait is acceptable and in some cases – WARRANTED:
·
You’ve got a new haircut, hair color, glasses, piercings,
tattoo, etc. and no one is home to take a photo? Go for it! (Just not
regularly!)
·
You’re standing in front of Mann’s Chinese
Theater and Tom Hanks, Jon Bon Jovi, Channing Tatum, etc. walks up. If you just happen to have your cell phone,
TAKE A SELFIE with the star of your choice (I’d totally do that!)
·
You’re dressed as an Elf for a ministry outreach,
and there is no one at home to take your photo (I did this one – still somewhat reluctant.)
·
You’re at the North Pole – all alone. On a mountaintop – all alone. You caught a
shark while kayaking off the coast – all alone.
Sure, go ahead…smile and click.
Surely, there must be other acceptable occasions – they just
aren’t coming to mind right now.
Humans tend to be drawn to other humans who actually show
interest in them. Conversely, those same
humans tend to be repelled by those who operate from never-ending self-absorption.
If most pictures YOU post are of YOU…or YOU and a child, or
YOU and a dog, or YOU and a tree, YOU in the driver’s seat (concerning on many
levels), or YOU and a friend… and of course, taken by YOU then you might want to consider the message you’re
sending to your online followers, family and any remaining “friends.” You’re marketing
yourself. Some might wonder what you’re
peddling. Worse yet, some might assume.
So, to all the narcissists populating newsfeeds with an
abundance of “self-portraiture”, please consider your motivations. Focus on others through the “viewfinder of
your camera phone”…ultimately, you may want to branch out and focus on others
through the “viewfinder of your life.”
Say “Cheese”.
