Over the past 10 years the ability to take photos of oneself has become increasingly easier due to the invention of the smartphone and tablet and the rise of social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram. From taking a picture of yourself at a social or sports event and positing it instantly for the world to see or using this medium to promote political activism the selfie has become a cultural phenomenon. This paper by D.C. Murray, an American theorist largely explores the latter, and includes thoughts, opinions and theories as to whether the selfie is a depiction of female narcissism or a platform for empowerment.
Murray does this by focusing on one particular demographic, young women in their teenage years and mid-20s. The article begins with a very readable introduction of how the selfie has come about and become part of everyday life. Then the article starts to consider feminism and the connotations the movement has towards the selfie. Understandably referencing the styles of various female photographers, Murray shows how in an age of digital image taking the likes of Nan Goldin and the late Francesca Woodman are the ‘heroes’ of young selfie taking women.
Although perhaps comprehensive I found the whole article raised so many points that it was easy to lose track of where it was going. The paper is focused on the selfie as a political tool and at some points doesn’t necessarily give a balanced view showing how the medium can in fact just be used in leisure. The last paragraph although it holds a powerful meaning closes the essay with the idea that the selfie is a tool for women to use to get their voices heard in a society where for a long time women have been the lesser gender.
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