In her column “Social media malignance,” Celeste Cariker PZ ’28 grapples with the negative social effects brought upon our generation after having grown up with internet platforms that unnaturally allow us to curate how we are perceived. “This outlet we’ve grown up with that allows us to present a “perfect” version of ourselves seems to have trained us to be profusely apologetic about the less-polished qualities that allow us to be known by others,” writes Cariker.
Tag: Instagram
OPINION: Replace reels with real life
Reels, TikTok, even the eldritch beast of YouTube shorts encroach have taken an aggressive hold on us, and Xavier Callan PO ‘28 is one of the brave souls who have gone cold turkey. Callan argues that we should follow his brave steps forward to take back control over how we spend our time.
OPINION: You are not TikTok’s Mother Theresa
We find our generation inundated by an Abrahamic flood of media and accessibility. This may seem like a moment of cultural flux, of boundless upward growth, but hubris has gotten to us.
Xavier Callan PO ’28 argues that since anyone can relentlessly make their opinion on any subject known, and every opinion is automatically deified as a piece of media by fact of existing on the internet, these stupid opinions are becoming a part of daily discourse. Callan warns us to be careful when we step onto our digital pulpits, posting honorably without falling victim to cycles of regurgitation, self-reference and remembering that we are not all career cultural critics.
OPINION: What my messy breakup with social media taught me
Years of climbing and challenging to be a king of the cultural milieu has taught Parker DeVore PZ ’27 one thing, the view from the top isn’t as sweet as it seems. Our rapid culture of consumption is stranding us without cultural landmarks, and we can afford to sit and process the media we find, and not get caught up in the everlasting trek for superlatives
OPINION: It’s okay to like Instapoetry
From BookTok to The New York Times, commentary over InstaPoetry (mostly negative, at that) has surprised Corina Yi PO ’27.
OPINION: First-year FOMO feels unavoidable, but you’re not alone
Reckoning with FOMO during first-year orientation week can feel impossible. But don’t worry! You’re not alone, writes Michelle Zhang PO ’27.
OPINION: It’s time to (actually) BeReal
BeReal and “casual” Instagram are meant to make social media more authentic — but they’re actually making it more toxic, argues Aaron Matsuoka PZ ’26.
Let’s BeReal: How 5C students are capturing campuses this year
Released in 2020, the social media app BeReal is buzzing around campus, not only with its notifications to snap a picture but also with questions of its authenticity.
Film philosophy: ‘Black Mirror’ questions what really matters
TV columnist Simone Bogedal PO ’24 explores how the examination of appearances on social media in “Black Mirror” can apply to our current lives.
OPINION: Don’t buy into the false allure of dieting products
Avoid diet plans and products that promote unhealthy habits, and instead prioritize your health, argues Mishaal Ijaz SC ’24.