I have always been a bit opposed to new forms of social media. In fact, it wasn’t until a friend made me a Facebook account that I actually started to use that (I was stuck in the ways of “MySpace”). When I was told that we needed an Instagram account for my Writing, Research, and Technology class, I shuddered at having to make an account. I was already forced to use Twitter in my college career, I didn’t want to learn something new, but with time, I grew to like Instagram (much more than Twitter). However, I found that I was being led to think a certain way when I used Instagram. There were more positive things being shown everywhere I looked, than negative ones. If Instagram is all about showing your life in pictures, then where’s the bad with the good?
I’m guilty of trying to show my life off to make people believe it’s better than it is. Nice days outside: *click* Posted. My dog being silly: *click* Posted. Having fun with my family at a musical: *click* Posted. Where are those times I’m lying in bed sick? Or frustrated at work? Or even me crying while watching Les Miserables? Can people tell who I truly am or stressful school and work is for me just by looking at my Instagram? Of course not! Let’s look at some examples.
I follow Sarah Brightman on my Instagram. What does that account post? Tour pictures, publicity photos of her at a museum, inspiration quotes with her in amazing costumes in the background. In almost every picture, she is either singing or smiling. Does she ever get sad or lonely? She had been married and divorced. Her father committed suicide. Does she ever think of him? Why doesn’t her account post pictures of her and her father together to show that she is human and thinks of him once in a while? We may never know who Sarah Brightman really is. We only know who she wants us to believe she is.
I’m guilty of trying to show my life off to make people believe it’s better than it is. Nice days outside: *click* Posted. My dog being silly: *click* Posted. Having fun with my family at a musical: *click* Posted. Where are those times I’m lying in bed sick? Or frustrated at work? Or even me crying while watching Les Miserables? Can people tell who I truly am or stressful school and work is for me just by looking at my Instagram? Of course not! Let’s look at some examples.
I follow Sarah Brightman on my Instagram. What does that account post? Tour pictures, publicity photos of her at a museum, inspiration quotes with her in amazing costumes in the background. In almost every picture, she is either singing or smiling. Does she ever get sad or lonely? She had been married and divorced. Her father committed suicide. Does she ever think of him? Why doesn’t her account post pictures of her and her father together to show that she is human and thinks of him once in a while? We may never know who Sarah Brightman really is. We only know who she wants us to believe she is.
Theatre is something I have always been in to. My parents are actors. I grew up wanting to be on Broadway. I have a degree in theatre. If you do not have an ego or want to get involved in politics, then theatre isn’t for you. I learned at an early age if you are a better singer and actress than the lead female in the play, her parents are probably deeply involved with the company. Yes, theatre is fun. You can make a ton of friends and memories by participating in it. You can learn so much by acting. However, it’s very dramatic (haha I love puns!) and there’s always something going on behind the scenes. In one of the theatre companies I was a member of, I was doing the children’s shows. It was fun rehearsing, but we never got a big audience (maybe three kids per show if that).I kept auditioning for the main stage plays, but was told I was too young (I was around 18 at this time). When I was about 20 (maybe 21), I auditioned for a role of a character who was in their mid-twenties. I was told I did a wonderful job and even blew the director away with my abilities that I had worked on in college. The role was given to a forty-something year old who had to dye her hair for the part. I was devastated. I later discovered that lady who got the role over me was close friends with the director. I left that theatre for a good while after that, but the results at other companies weren’t any different. I did amazing at auditions (even did accents when required) but always lost out to someone who had pull with the director or theatre.
The theatre hashtag is full of smiles, cast members taking selfies (or even “us-ies”), and glimpses of the show. Where’s the drama? The “I can’t stand this b—ch” caption? The “I can sing better than she can, but her mom’s the vice president of the company” comment?
My feed is full of classmates questioning things, thanks to what we’re learning in class and our discussions, but they’re still on the cheery side. There’s nothing negative from what I can see. In class, there’s always something I’m learning about one or two of them, that I would never discover from Instagram.
So in conclusion, I feel Instagram, like most forms of social media, is just another popularity contest. How many followers can you get? How many hearts can you aquire on pictures? How can you feel more depressed about your life while viewing someone else’s “life” on your smartphone app? Don’t get me wrong, I’m addicted to it and seeing everyone’s pictures puts a smile on my face since they’re all so nice. I’ve always been doubtful. I know I censor what I put on any of my social media pages, because I don’t want anyone to know when my boyfriend and I are fighting, when I’m feeling lost and am prepared to drop out of college, or even when I’m having a bad hair day. I am just as guilty as everyone else. I just can also see past it as well. I know what I’m hiding from, but do you?