Truth and Lies

By Stephanie Reid

Facebook, as a portrayer of news, photos and opinions, establishes the narrative of its site as a multicultural society through the personality of posts presented. They have the power to present themselves and their surroundings through the use of their words, to whatever extent they wish. 

As the Greeks understood through the importance of narrative that people can convince or explain something to others, in a way that they want to portray it (Kuttainen, 2015). Some people portray themselves in a light that is better than real life, by photoshopping their images, telling white lies or even complete lies. Some people, however, defame others through the use of their social media account – maybe some words that they would perhaps not say face-to-face (Example of Defamation). People can convince others of a life that is not really theirs.

Real or Fake?

In Kuttainen’s work in the book, Telling Stories, writers of the early to mid 20^th century decided to create an image of the Pacific as a place where everyone would want to go – even during times of the Great Depression. Holidays to the Pacific were a massive, great thing – if you could afford it. They created a different vision of ‘Australia at the time, one that was cosmopolitan as well as multicultural in its imaginative horizons’ (pg 53). These white lies help to create an image that propels a company (tourism) into everyone’s minds.

People’s views of you are dependent on what narrative you display on your social media accounts. You could be high and mighty, or you could be down to earth. It is a space that people customise through words and pictures to depict the life that they want to be living. 

References

Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place, Lecture 4: Maps. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/

Dalziell, T., & Genoni, P. (2013). Telling stories. Clayton, Vic.: Monash University Publishing.

Burke, L. (2015). When a Facebook post costs you dearly. AdelaideNow. Retrieved 26 August 2015, from http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/technology/facebook-and-defamation-when-a-post-costs-you-dearly/story-fnjwnzal-1227498531873

(Image) V, G. (2015). Real or Fake Recovery? Six scary charts on the South African economy. Sound Money SA. Retrieved 26 August 2015, from http://soundmoneysa.co.za/2012/09/real-or-fake-recovery/