"Knowing me, Knowing you" ABBA (1976, track 10)
By Nykita Paroz
Identity is a complicated and powerful source for defining a person. Additionally, how we present ourselves is further influenced by external factors; friends, family and media. Consequently, in the "connected age" of social networking we are provided with a blank canvas, allowing us to create and present our identity the way we want it to be seen. But have we ever considered just how much of our online identity is constructed by the networks we associate with?
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| Image from: http://www.kathleendeggelman.com |
McNeil (2012) emphasizes the notion of the "networked self" through our human interaction with the digital software; the individual 'I' is replaced with the collaborative 'we' of our friends, family and online activities. All of which is used "...for a particular purpose" (Van Luyn, 2015). Facebook gathers the data from our profiles selling it to advertisers which in turn, appear when browsing. A seemingly harmless exchange of information, yet the notion of the person's "true-self"/ true identity (Van Luyn, 2015) is further complicated and blurred.
Can we present a complete identity of our "true-self" (Van Luyn, 2015) or must our identity remain only partial?
References:
McNeil, L. (2012). There is no "I" in network: social networking sites and posthuman auto/biography. Biography, Vol 35 (1). pp 65-82. DOI: 10.1353/bio2012.0009
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002: Our space: networks, narative and the making of place, Lecture 6: Networked narratives: intertextuality. [PowerPoint slide]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au
Image from:
Social Media for network marketing [Image]. (2013) Retrieved from http://www.kathleendeggelman.com/social-media-for-network-marketing-five-tips-to-build-a-successful-business/
You have mentioned some great points which have been discussed in the (McNeill, 2012) reading in terms of our online self and the way this narrative determines our identity (Van Luyn, 2015). The internet and in particular social networks allow us as individuals to become part of a shared voice, through combining our antonymous online autobiographies on certain topics. Imagine a group which you have been advised to join, this advice came from your interests and the people you connect with you, and even searched terms in Google / Youtube. This group would share a specific interest which you have shown in your content. In my opinion, Facebook is your “online resume” which is constantly updating to show who you are or who you are trying to be or become. Some employers look at Facebook as part of their research, during the employment process because of the “truth” in how we construct our post human selves (McNeill, 2015). This all connects like a map and reveals identities about each user.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Mcneill, L. (2012). There Is No "I" in Network: Social Networking Sites and Posthuman Auto/Biography. Volume 35, Number 1. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place, Week 6: Networked Narratives: Intertextuality (PowerPoint Presentation). Retrieved from http://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
It is interesting how you noted that, when creating a Facebook account, the site has already selected the type of person that you can be. This can already blur and complicate the notion of a person’s ‘true self’ (Van Luyn, 2015) as they attempt to portray on social media. Already, as we join the site our persona has been altered to fit within the box. While it helps the company to create the ads that pop up for us to view (Mark Zuckerberg said that they use this data to shape ads that are only relevant to that person (McNeill, 2012)), it does not help us to illustrate the true narrative of our lives, and it does not take into account different cultures' identities.
ReplyDeleteMcneill, L. (2012). There Is No "I" in Network: Social Networking Sites and Posthuman Auto/Biography. Volume 35, Number 1. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place, Week 6: Networked Narratives: Intertextuality (PowerPoint Presentation). Retrieved from http://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Considering your question about presenting our ‘true-self’ on social media, I would elaborate on your ideas by suggesting that the presentation of our ‘real identity’ in reality is just as flawed as our identities online. As Van Luyn (2015) suggests, our personalities are merely a construction and occur differently from interaction to interaction (and from peer group to peer group). Our identities can be whatever we imagine them to be, and often we present an idealised version of ourselves. How often is it that we censor our thoughts out of respect, or fear of consequences? As such, it could be said that our identities are always only partially seen. Humanity is a social species after all, we can not function without companionship.
ReplyDeleteReference
Van Luyn, A. (2015). BA1002 Week Six Lecture Slides. Retrieved from https://www.learnjcu.jcu.edu.au