Photography in the Age of Narcissism

[bribrius]

Only stones and dead people have no ego. We all need a few "atta boys" and "our place in the sun". As long as you're not hurting anyone and bringing joy to yourself and others, what's the harm?

or perhaps a lack of ego. The need for recognition, approval, to be marveled at. What is lacking inside trying to be made up with outside influences.
Being at peace with oneself, happy with oneself, would mean little need for such recognition or approval.

Or perhaps it means someone has gotten the recognition that they have been seeking and their ego has reached a level of satisfaction.

why are the seeking recognition in the first place? That is what children do. This is the part I cant quite wrap my head around. Seeking recognition seems to be a flaw in ones ego. wouldn't the peace and contentment be found from inside a person, not exterior inputs?

 

[table1349]

Considering that the "Age of Narcissism" started when the first two humanoids got together I am a bit perplexed at the thought of it being something new. Humans, being the creatures they are, are all narcissistic in some way shape or form. The artist, the chef, the woodworker, the tailor, the barber, they are all narcissistic. The degree may vary, but the trait is universal.

Yes, this is facile but, until recently it was thought of as somehow immodest or impolite to insist on adulation for oneself; the words for doing that 'brag', 'boast', etc alll carry negative connotations. The point that the authors are making is that, not only do we do this without thought now, but even the technology has encouraged this; witness the backwards facing camera in the mobile phones, the ease of taking selfies and the flood of selfies on any public media. And a 'selfie' is not thought of as immodest but standard.

I think the authors need to do a little more studying of History. The history of human kind is crammed full of Narcissistic people. From monuments to whole cities built to honor people to conquests all in the name of greatness. Some societies were Narcissistic in their very nature.

The difference isn't in the number of narcissistic people, the difference is that until recently it took money to display those great works of narcissism and a good deal of money to record those smaller works of narcissism by those that did not have the money. No money, no record. In ancient times everyone, rich or poor had an eating knife. Today everyone has a cellphone with a camera and some kind of access to the internet where by they can display their acts of narcissism without the need or help of others and with very little money.

 

[bribrius]

you all are depressing me. First assuming everyone and everything is narcissistic as I try to think of people in general as being good. Second, backward facing camera, maybe to take a photo of yourself with a friend or your dog? Is everyone really into selfies? They could be, I don't keep up im out of the loop. Perhaps it is a lack of friends. People don't have enough friends to have one hold the phone and take a photo of them for them. I was asked a couple weeks by a couple to take a photo of them with their camera. Now see, if they had a backward facing camera they wouldn't have had to look around for someone to approach (me) to take that. Is that narcissism?

 

[table1349]

The only problem with the human race is that it is populated by humans.

 

[bribrius]

The only problem with the human race is that it is populated by humans.

Humans gained the knowledge to separate from the ape, but not the wisdom to use it properly. off subject though.

 

[table1349]

Totally on subject. Human existence is a daily act of narcissism. What other animal cares about it's hair, smell, the clothes it chooses or wears, the vehicle it drives, the house it lives in or even the food it eats? What other animal even bothers with some inevitably useless activity such as this?

 

[bribrius]

Totally on subject. Human existence is a daily act of narcissism. What other animal cares about it's hair, smell, the clothes it chooses or wears, the vehicle it drives, the house it lives in or even the food it eats? What other animal even bothers with some inevitably useless activity such as this?

most of them, except the driving part. Animals do a lot of self grooming and home building.

 

[rexbobcat]

why are the seeking recognition in the first place? That is what children do. This is the part I cant quite wrap my head around. Seeking recognition seems to be a flaw in ones ego. wouldn't the peace and contentment be found from inside a person, not exterior inputs?

Because seeking recognition comes from the psychological need for achievement that people naturally have. Some people have a higher need for achievement, so they work harder to achieve more and more success, while other people's need isn't so high and they are content with less achievement.

It also varies by gender as well. Women tend to want more achievement in internal goals (having a family, having lots of friends, etc...) while men's tend to look for achievement externally (having a nice job, making lots of money, a nice car, etc...)

Too much of anything is bad. Requiring recognition of everything is bad. But just wanting recognition is natural and is not a "flaw."

 

[bribrius]

why are the seeking recognition in the first place? That is what children do. This is the part I cant quite wrap my head around. Seeking recognition seems to be a flaw in ones ego. wouldn't the peace and contentment be found from inside a person, not exterior inputs?

Because seeking recognition comes from the psychological need for achievement that people naturally have. Some people have a higher need for achievement, so they work harder to achieve more and more success, while other people's need isn't so high and they are content with less achievement.

It also varies by gender as well. Women tend to want more achievement in internal goals (having a family, having lots of friends, etc...) while men's tend to look for achievement externally (having a nice job, making lots of money, a nice car, etc...)

Too much of anything is bad. Requiring recognition of everything is bad. But just wanting recognition is natural and is not a "flaw."

achievement and recognition of a achievement are two different things.

It is the difference between donating money to the local shelter and not telling anyone, and donating money to the local shelter and telling all your friends and people you know.
some people have a need for recognition, or a higher need for recognition. which makes me wonder if it is a self worth issue or a personality flaw.
if you do something or achieve something, know you did it. The act or instance exists. why would you need recognition or others nod of approval?
seeking approval is actually a act of submission, or weakness. As a child looking to a parent or any subordinate looking to above for approval. which is natural in those instances. Putting that same premise in the form of general approval from others not in those instance I am finding troublesome.

 

[rexbobcat]

why are the seeking recognition in the first place? That is what children do. This is the part I cant quite wrap my head around. Seeking recognition seems to be a flaw in ones ego. wouldn't the peace and contentment be found from inside a person, not exterior inputs?

Because seeking recognition comes from the psychological need for achievement that people naturally have. Some people have a higher need for achievement, so they work harder to achieve more and more success, while other people's need isn't so high and they are content with less achievement.

It also varies by gender as well. Women tend to want more achievement in internal goals (having a family, having lots of friends, etc...) while men's tend to look for achievement externally (having a nice job, making lots of money, a nice car, etc...)

Too much of anything is bad. Requiring recognition of everything is bad. But just wanting recognition is natural and is not a "flaw."

achievement and recognition of a achievement are two different things.

It is the difference between donating money to the local shelter and not telling anyone, and donating money to the local shelter and telling all your friends and people you know.

Except I've never known anyone with a drive to succeed who was content from an apathetic boss.

People, especially in the workplace, enjoy their work more if they feel appreciated. A lot of that comes from positive recognition from others.

Although not needing recognition is a nice ideal, people who don't require or want it aren't any less flawed than those who do.

I mean, why do people debate when nothing is at stake? Why are we having a discussion? We want recognition of our ideas.

 

[bribrius]

Because seeking recognition comes from the psychological need for achievement that people naturally have. Some people have a higher need for achievement, so they work harder to achieve more and more success, while other people's need isn't so high and they are content with less achievement.

It also varies by gender as well. Women tend to want more achievement in internal goals (having a family, having lots of friends, etc...) while men's tend to look for achievement externally (having a nice job, making lots of money, a nice car, etc...)

Too much of anything is bad. Requiring recognition of everything is bad. But just wanting recognition is natural and is not a "flaw."

achievement and recognition of a achievement are two different things.

It is the difference between donating money to the local shelter and not telling anyone, and donating money to the local shelter and telling all your friends and people you know.

Except I've never known anyone with a drive to succeed who was content from an apathetic boss.

People, especially in the workplace, enjoy their work more if they feel appreciated. A lot of that comes from positive recognition from others.

Although not needing recognition is a nice ideal, people who don't require or want it aren't any less flawed than those who do.

I mean, why do people debate when nothing is at stake? Why are we having a discussion? We want recognition of our ideas.

because it is mildly interesting and entertaining. You can also learn and potentially teach others in such discussions. Are you engaging in this discussion for recognition? Happiness and peace come from inside.

 

[Newtricks]

... but generally I thank them for comments and go on.

That is exactly where I'm at Lew, I may not like what's being said, yet I thank whomever for their input and move on. We do not grow without the input of our peers.

 

[rexbobcat]

achievement and recognition of a achievement are two different things.

It is the difference between donating money to the local shelter and not telling anyone, and donating money to the local shelter and telling all your friends and people you know.

Except I've never known anyone with a drive to succeed who was content from an apathetic boss.

People, especially in the workplace, enjoy their work more if they feel appreciated. A lot of that comes from positive recognition from others.

Although not needing recognition is a nice ideal, people who don't require or want it aren't any less flawed than those who do.

I mean, why do people debate when nothing is at stake? Why are we having a discussion? We want recognition of our ideas.

because it is mildly interesting and entertaining. You can also learn and potentially teach others in such discussions. Are you engaging in this discussion for recognition? Happiness and peace come from inside.

So you do want recognition in the form of people taking what you say as useful and worthwhile knowledge?

Recognition takes many forms.

 

[bribrius]

Except I've never known anyone with a drive to succeed who was content from an apathetic boss.

People, especially in the workplace, enjoy their work more if they feel appreciated. A lot of that comes from positive recognition from others.

Although not needing recognition is a nice ideal, people who don't require or want it aren't any less flawed than those who do.

I mean, why do people debate when nothing is at stake? Why are we having a discussion? We want recognition of our ideas.

because it is mildly interesting and entertaining. You can also learn and potentially teach others in such discussions. Are you engaging in this discussion for recognition? Happiness and peace come from inside.

So you do want recognition in the form of people taking what you say as useful and worthwhile knowledge?

Recognition takes many forms.

only for the sake of letting me know if it makes a difference. cause effect, action reaction or result. Not for approval or recognition if that is what you are asking. I don't have a boss here so it doesn't factor into promotions or obligations to a overseer.

 

[rexbobcat]

because it is mildly interesting and entertaining. You can also learn and potentially teach others in such discussions. Are you engaging in this discussion for recognition? Happiness and peace come from inside.

So you do want recognition in the form of people taking what you say as useful and worthwhile knowledge?

Recognition takes many forms.

only for the sake of letting me know if it makes a difference. cause effect, action reaction or result. Not for approval or recognition if that is what you are asking. I don't have a boss here so it doesn't factor into promotions or obligations to a overseer.

Having to answer to someone doesn't have anything to do with of you want your ideas to be reinforced by others. If you didn't care you wouldn't keep trying to make your point.

I'm sorry, I just can't believe, after studying psychology, that inner peace is so inner. We don't live in a vacuum. You aren't in total control of your feelings.

Just telling yourself to be happy doesn't make you feel happiness or contentment.

Blame neurochemicals and the infinite number of ways human personality develops over a lifetime.