Why do we take selfies? That is what I was pondering yesterday after posting this one. My theory is that it’s not vanity, per se. But rather it’s a desire to see ourselves in the real world as other people might see us. It’s somehow a different visage from the one in our bathroom mirror (even if it’s a rest area bathroom mirror on an interstate in Kansas). And secondly, the point is to SHARE the image — to *ping* it someone else to remind them you are still alive and kicking out there somewhere. And further it’s to get a REACTION, some acknowledgment from the universe that your existence and whereabouts matter to another human. As I look at my own selfies, they tend towards attempts at humor or irony, though I doubt I would ever use one that I find highly unappealing (so some vanity, yes, and that’s why you often take several… to optimize the self-deprecation).
In this instance we were traveling cross country on a move from Denver to Baltimore and pulling a trailer. I was dressed in road-trip casual and was drawn to the etched graffiti on the mirror. I mean, who does that? And what should I write?? Not sure I understand the body stance other than it must be one that stabilizes the phone. And for the record, never with a selfie-stick.
I’m not on Facebook anymore and have never joined the morass of Twitter and Instagram, which intentionally restricts my audience to the contacts on my phone. I’m part of several running group chats, one going now for over ten years, and I’m sure I would have sent this to several. It says, “Hey, guys, we’re on the road and, in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve still got all my hair!” But in the end, I got exactly what I wanted, a laugh-out-loud funny response from an old friend (TH) who texted the following:
“You’ve definitely got COVID now.”
“Also, the estate of Steve Irwin ‘Crocodile Hunter’ called. They want his clothes back.”
Now THAT’s a fully-realized selfie! It has three components: the photo, the sharing, and the response. Because in the end, it’s all about the connection. Life as a running improvisation. But for that you need substrate/material, and what’s better than baiting your pals to (mildly) insult you?! I’ve lived long enough to know that everyone, deep down, wants a warm-hearted roast every now and then. And for that, my friends, I thank you.
Great Exudations 