To Feel Angered by People Taking So Many Photos for the 'Gram...?

I think I was ahead of the curve in that as a teenager I always had a camera in my bag. But it was a 35mm film camera, so although I took photos on nights out and random times, I’d have no idea what they’d look like until I got them developed, so it was a quick snap and done. And social media didn’t exist so they were just photos for me and my memories. I agree it’s kind of painful that people lives their lives through the lens of how others will perceive them on SM.

I think the Instagram idiocy feeds into some of the anti-tourism sentiment sweeping Europe as well. It's other factors like housing as well of course, but so many people sweeping on these places, in many cases just so they can show off on bloody Instagram.

People used to go to these places to explore new cultures and broaden their horizons, now they just want likes.

Personally, I kinda admire people who are out there, living life and capturing those little moments on camera. Those against it should try it. Sounds like they drastically need cheering up!

I don't admire them, I personally don't think that's 'living life' so it's not for me. I also don't admire posters who make stupid and vacuous statements that other people should 'cheer up' because they feel differently to you. Try to accept that other people are not the same as you and nor do they need to be.

'Societal shift' is a recognised thing. If it has passed you by or you're not interested in that point then that's fine. Let those of us who are, talk about it. That was what the OP wanted to do without being shouted down.

I agree with you OP. There's something very narcissistic about it all.
I was at a nice restaurant with my DH recently and as we sat and talked and laughed and enjoyed our meal, there were so many couples and friends sat with their phones out, messaging, taking photos etc and barely talking. It's pretty sad. Fwiw I'm early 30s.

Anger isn't something I've felt but the pushy narcissists trying to get a perfect photo in front of the Roman Ruins for e.g or Ground Zero (when it was ground Zero) not seeming to give a shiny one that people's lives were sacrificed there etc (dare I say not even aware of the history(.

Idk. There's no reverence. It's jarring to me to be all about the likes.

It's all just clout chasing and showing off. It's the app that's the problem, it all feeds into narcissism.

People taking photos is fine but when it's all for the purpose of taking the perfect photo for Instagram to show off, it's just decadent.

I understand that - but to get 'angry' about it (especially enough to write a post about it), seems a little excessive...

Personally, I kinda admire people who are out there, living life and capturing those little moments on camera. Those against it should try it. Sounds like they drastically need cheering up!

I agree.

It's such a noticeable societal shift, why would we not look into it?

Actually there are well-researched psychological reasons for her reactions, just as there is extensive psychological research into your own kind of reaction on this thread.

But there's no rhyme or reason why someone should be 'angry' about people taking photos for Instagram.

It's a visceral reaction to cultural change. "Future shock" is as much discussed in the 60s, and at that time they thought all the progress was positive.

People sure do like to throw around the 'sanctimonious' and 'controlling' trope.

You can feel any way you like about it, OP, I share your views. I don't truly care what these people do or how daft they look, unless they don't look where they're going and walking into me/get in my way.

It is sad. They can crack on with it and you/I and anybody else can feel about it how we want to.

But there's no rhyme or reason why someone should be 'angry' about people taking photos for Instagram.
Unless they have anger issues. Which obviously has nothing to do with people taking photos on Instagram.

Well that's refuted the idiocracy theory. 🙄

I've been expecting a lump of society to break off as some kind of new Luddite movement TBH. If I had another child now (mine range from adult to KS2), I'd like them to be able to have a tech free or tech lite childhood through to at least the age of 9 or 11. Which would be difficult compared to the first 20 years of the millennium when my other DC were small.

I keep thinking that others will feel similarly and group together.

It doesn't seem evident yet.

Oh, I dunno... I'd maybe try getting a life!? 🤷‍♀️

OP is interested in her reaction and wondering why she feels that way. Hence asking MN posters, some of whom are being helpful and not snarky. That is looking into it IMO.

What would you suggest then?

It's all very Idiocracy. The west is done.

@User135644 yes! That's exactly it. We as a society have allowed these apps actually change our behaviour. They are developed by people who try to change our behaviour to increase profit and we have let them.

Well yes, but you didn’t do it every ten seconds in front of every landmark and view.

I’m only 27 and I’m so tired of people watching their lives through a screen. People at concerts are the thing that probably frustrates me the most, EVERYONE has their phone out and watching the concert through the screen on their phone rather than actually watching it and embracing the moment and the music. You cannot even focus on the artist as everyone’s phones are in the way. It makes me sad that this is how we live now.

I also know far too many people who purposely go to places to just take photos for instagram. Not for enjoying the place or venue they’re at - just so they can take a photo of themselves there. I recently saw a church or something have a ‘selfie mirror’ that people were queuing to use (it showed the beautiful art on the ceiling). I think this is everything wrong with the world.

I’m a photographer and I take photos for art, my photos are always raw, unmanipulated, in the moment photos. I’m so sick of people taking photos of themselves/ places and manipulating the moment in person and then using photoshop to manipulate the way that they look like further. As stated, I’m all for people taking photographs but when people live their lives through posting every moment of their lives (manipulated lives) on social media - it’s sad and pretty hard to comprehend.

I know this isn’t the point of your post, but don’t get me started on the people who are in hospital and photograph their hospital bracelet or cannula for the full on purpose of attention seeking. I spent most my life in hospital due to my chronic illness and I have had pretty severe surgeries and never once have I posted a photo of me in hospital for attention.

Yeah the TS one was mad. Talk about NOT in the moment - she’d paid £330 to video herself lip syncing.

also I love seeing people take those ‘from behind’ photos of themselves / well someone else has to do it. I walk over London Bridge and it always gives me a smile.

then again I have 90k photos on my phone as I take a lot of photos ! But just for me, not Social media

Yeah, I've got a lot of time for McLuhan. He was think about TV initially I think, and then the impact of media type on communication.
Interestingly he is given to new hires at Meta to read (I think they give out 'the medium is the massage' which is not the one I mentioned up thread.)

Re the 'selfies being new'

That's what the timer buttons were for, or the clicker in a wire.
You set the camera up with others/a holding prop, in place. You use the viewer to get the right angle, etc - often with camera propped up on a wall, etc. Set the timer or grab the wired clicker, run into position and smile.

Oh come on we took about 50 to 100 a year on an exciting year. My kids can take that on a day.

I took way more than that even pre digital.
Lots more when I went digital, but pre social media.
Social media isn't what changed the number I took - the vast majority I take will never appear on any social media.