Facebook narcissism!

[oceanview]

Having recently "joined" facebook so I can access car groups/local news/clubs I am interested in, I have been astounded at the sheer level of narcissism on it- you know it shows you potential "friends" and having clicked on a few I know, to see if there is anything of interest- and no- its just people ( particularly women ) posting selfies, I presume to get comments/likes and empty comments like " gorgeous pic"," still got it" etc etc.

I suppose anyone who's been on there for a while will think, so, that's what happens but to some one like me who's new to it, it was a bit weird seeing people you thought were quite together- and not a poser/look at me type- posting selfies after some kind of validation/admiration

Well, I am off to take a topless selfie with a serious look on my face and wait for the praise to flow in!!

fkin' ell!!

[RDMcG]

When I first came across a selfie stick I thought it was a joke. Still , there is a certain Darwinian perfection to the several people a year whose last shots consists of open mouthed amazement as they tumble backwards off the rim of the Grand Canyon......

[roboxm3]

I'm currently in holiday and, along with hundreds of other people, have been generally laying around on the beach, enjoying the weather and the view.

The other day a couple spent an extraordinary amount of time trying to take a picture (of her), even to the point of returning to their chosen spot when they decided that none of the original attempts were "social media worthy".

I wanted to drown them.

[Benni]

I am not on FB but am estranged by narcism anyway.

[Hoofy]

It's bad but wait until you try Instagram. It's like Facebook on steroids. As well as the subjects in some of the photos.

[alangtt]

I'm not on Facebook, but it seems a lot of the car forums I used to frequent are going that way.

[Front bottom]

There was one mutton dressed as lamb type lady on my friends list for a while.

Every weekend she would post numerous selfies when out and about. They all looked exactly the same as the last ones the previous weekend, and the one before that etc. etc.

I posted a link on there that questioned 'selfie takers', and narcissism was mentioned in the link. She promptly deleted me, probably after she googled narcissism.

She did me a favour.

[lucido grigio]

The word selfie makes me want to self harm.

[Rawwr]

Easily dealt with: When they post up another pouting selfie, simply post; "What happened to your face?"

Don't add any emojis or exclamation marks, just post it as quoted and then never respond. Should instill enough paranoia to slow them down a bit.

[Shakermaker]

Everyone moans about this, but go back 50 years, in fact, don't even go back that far, and the rich and aristocracy were sitting still long enough for people to paint their portrait, and artists were painting bowls of fruit, and fields of flowers, which got put up in art galleries which charged you money to see these displays of vanity and narcissism.

But people these days complain when others post a picture of their dinner, or the field where they walk the dog, for free?

[selym]

alangtt said:

I'm not on Facebook, but it seems a lot of the car forums I used to frequent are going that way.

I agree. The narcissism and general idiocy is rife amongst the 'people part' of Facebook, and I tired of it years ago. However, a few very useful car related groups seem to prefer facebook as their platform. As there really isn't a suitable forum for Monaros (apart from on here of course), I'll have to grin and bear it - pretty much the same as the users of facebook; well, gurn and bare it.

[vx220]

Shakermaker said:

Everyone moans about this, but go back 50 years, in fact, don't even go back that far, and the rich and aristocracy were sitting still long enough for people to paint their portrait, and artists were painting bowls of fruit, and fields of flowers, which got put up in art galleries which charged you money to see these displays of vanity and narcissism.

My feeling is that in such times/environments you mention, portraits were for a lucky/elite few, painted by a lucky/elite few who had the talents to do so...

...nowadays, anyone can do it, and somehow that cheapens the whole thing. For me, it's the same for "celebrities" that are famous for being famous, rather than any actual talent, and music. It seems anyone with a computer can be famous (if only for their 15mins) by putting together a drum beat and a sample loop, where 100yrs ago to get the same level of fame you'd have spent many years earning your fame learning your instrument...

Admittedly, I haven't found the IT skills necessary to become drum'n'bass famous, so I can't grumble too much, they obviously have more talent than me! But I think the whole "standing on the shoulders of giants" thing has gone too far.

[Shakermaker]

vx220 said:

My feeling is that in such times/environments you mention, portraits were for a lucky/elite few, painted by a lucky/elite few who had the talents to do so...

...nowadays, anyone can do it, and somehow that cheapens the whole thing. For me, it's the same for "celebrities" that are famous for being famous, rather than any actual talent, and music. It seems anyone with a computer can be famous (if only for their 15mins) by putting together a drum beat and a sample loop, where 100yrs ago to get the same level of fame you'd have spent many years earning your fame learning your instrument...

Admittedly, I haven't found the IT skills necessary to become drum'n'bass famous, so I can't grumble too much, they obviously have more talent than me! But I think the whole "standing on the shoulders of giants" thing has gone too far.

Yes. But I can guarantee that everyone I know on Facebook is better looking that Henry VIII, according to my own standards, and I don't have to pay to see pictures of them.

Plus of course, back in the day you didn't get regular bikini selfies of your sister-in-law or your mates girlfriend..

[Kiltie]

On Facebook, if you don't like images or general content someone is posting, you can "unfollow" them.

You are still "friends" so nobody will be hurt or upset.

It just means you won't see the things you don't like so you won't need to moan about them.

[anonymous-user]

Remember ladies, suck those cheeks in.

[Jaroon]

I joined about a year ago, mainly its really helped me learn peoples names at my relatively new work place and a snippet about them. The real bonus has been reconnecting with some old friends on there, some from 30 years ago!

I post the odd selfie, I've aged well (Narcissist!!) and am happy to show my old mates the beautiful fact A bit of pride is not the end of the world and I do get the feeling those who moan about it the loudest about this are probably a bit ugly/judgemental/busy bodies. It's harmless and certainly doesn't affect you so why let it spoil your day? That said people posting pics of their ill-favoured off spring is hilarious, we can't all be demi gods I suppose

[anonymous-user]

Don’t go on there drunk and call your female old school friends or uni friends or your wives friends a milf or similar.

In fact don’t go on the internet drunk.

[Kiltie]

Jaroon said:

I joined about a year ago, mainly its really helped me learn peoples names at my relatively new work place and a snippet about them. The real bonus has been reconnecting with some old friends on there, some from 30 years ago!

I post the odd selfie, I've aged well (Narcissist!!) and am happy to show my old mates the beautiful fact A bit of pride is not the end of the world and I do get the feeling those who moan about it the loudest about this are probably a bit ugly/judgemental/busy bodies. It's harmless and certainly doesn't affect you so why let it spoil your day? That said people posting pics of their ill-favoured off spring is hilarious, we can't all be demi gods I suppose

Very elegantly put and quite right.

I admit to posting too many photos of my dog on FB ... people don't have to look.

While we're at it, here's a picture of Breezer.

[Johnnytheboy]

Shakermaker said:

Yes. But I can guarantee that everyone I know on Facebook is better looking that Henry VIII, according to my own standards, and I don't have to pay to see pictures of them.

Plus of course, back in the day you didn't get regular bikini selfies of your sister-in-law or your mates girlfriend..

Posh women until the 18th century used to have portraits of themselves done with their knockers out, to be fair...

[SpeckledJim]

Kiltie said:

Very elegantly put and quite right.

I admit to posting too many photos of my dog on FB ... people don't have to look.

While we're at it, here's a picture of Breezer.