Photography in the Age of Narcissism

[bribrius]

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.

im actually thinking of my children. considering what more I can do to raise them to be strong, confident, secure in who they are, knowing who they are. with a solid foundation. I don't want them running around seeking others approval and overzealously taking selfpics as adults. If they are spending their time seeking others approval, recognition, taking a hundred self pics, confused at who they are or their self esteem (ego) then I would say I clearly failed as a father.
"everyone needs recognition" im not so sure im buying into this as being healthy. sounds like flaw or societal programming to me.
Maybe this is like a God syndrome. others looking at others approval as their leader. some looking to god as their leader. Where their contentment comes from needing exterior approvals for who they are..

 

[Stevepwns]

I have always held my art close. I find great joy in it and use it as a release/escape. I like to think I am sharing my view (through my eyes) how I see things. When I took up photography, I found myself sharing my photo that I am most proud of mainly because I want people to experience the joy I experience after I am done processing them. I enjoy the praise from friends and family, but most of all I would have to say I enjoy the response from people that seem to enjoy looking at them as much I do. I don't know if I would enjoy it as much if there was no one to share that with. Is that narcissistic? I dont know. I just love to share my joy with the people I love and respect, while making new friends along the way.

 

[bribrius]

I have always held my art close. I find great joy in it and use it as a release/escape. I like to think I am sharing my view (through my eyes) how I see things. When I took up photography, I found myself sharing my photo that I am most proud of mainly because I want people to experience the joy I experience after I am done processing them. I enjoy the praise from friends and family, but most of all I would have to say I enjoy the response from people that seem to enjoy looking at them as much I do. I don't know if I would enjoy it as much if there was no one to share that with. Is that narcissistic? I dont know. I just love to share my joy with the people I love and respect, while making new friends along the way.

I wouldn't say so. sounds normal. Depending on how much you need or enjoy that praise from friends and family. sharing experiences, joy. sounds normal. If you start seeking approval and recognition it might be a little "off". But what do I know

 

[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?

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

Seriously? Tell me there Crocodile Hunter when was the last time you were in Lowe's and saw a pair of nesting Eagles picking out tile for the kitchen floor in their nest. How long ago has it been since you saw a kangaroo putting in a pool and sauna in their "back yard?" See many chimps at the hair dressers lately and many pigs buying lipstick. The last time you saw a sheep in a garter belt and stockings was because YOU put it in one, not because it wanted to wear them. Tell me, what animals have you seen lately at Macy's or Kohl's picking out shirts, pants or dresses besides humans? Watch out for those gorillas with sagging over sized pants, they might be in a criminal gang. When was the last time you saw a robin pack up and leave because a black bird moved into the tree next door? Seriously???


If you go out in the woods and get a tick or two on you, do you just leave them on you? If you get lice do you just go oh well and live with them? Hell at least the primates are smart enough to pick off the irritants such as ticks and lice and eat them. They are a good source of protein with out all the crap that humans want and love in their food.


""Man is the noblest work of God" well now who found that out?" Mark Twain.

 

[pgriz]

Past ages celebrated the pursuit of "glory". Would that be now considered narcissistic, or is it another animal altogether?

 

[table1349]

Past ages celebrated the pursuit of "glory". Would that be now considered narcissistic, or is it another animal altogether?

Just the human animal. :mrgreen:

 

[Newtricks]

if you go out in the woods and get a tick or two on you, do you just leave them on you?

Hell no, light a cigar and toast the little bugger until it lets go.

 

[AlanKlein]

Like most things in life, balance is what works. No one is suggesting you waste your life looking in the mirror all day. On the other hand we need social and mental nourishment. Having ego also provides for our family as we feel social pressure to do the right things. If a rich man donates millions for social acclaim to build a heart wing on a hospital, the sick people who go there get well when before they may have died. So ego has a positive benefit or nature (and God) would not have created it. Recognition is as much part of our nature as hunger for food. Just do the right thing with it. Become famous, not infamous. Get recognition for your photography. Then give copies of it to your family and friends so they can smile about the gift you have given them.


and thank you for it.

 

[Newtricks]

Am I a narcissist? I only think of myself.

 

[table1349]

if you go out in the woods and get a tick or two on you, do you just leave them on you?

Hell no, light a cigar and toast the little bugger until it lets go.

Once they are toasted they are good with a little salt.

 

[Newtricks]

Once they are toasted they are good with a little salt.

I prefer them with butter and pepper myself.

 

[table1349]

Once they are toasted they are good with a little salt.

I prefer them with butter and pepper myself.

Well how narcissistic of you, Man as all animals need salt to survive, but butter and pepper. Those are human wants. :mrgreen:

 

[Newtricks]

butter and pepper. Those are human wants. :mrgreen:

NO! Butter and pepper make everything taste better,

 

[jenko]

I don't really see the making of art as inherently narcissistic. The need to express oneself, whether it be through the making of art or something else--like gardening, writing poetry, cooking, fashion, playing music, inventing things, etc. just feels like a uniquely human characteristic. We have language, but language does not always communicate everything we feel or want to share with others. There are some things we do not have words for. Times and places in our lives where language and the typical means of communication fail us. Creating a visual way to communicate is no more narcissistic than talking, IMO.

 

[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.

Seriously? Tell me there Crocodile Hunter when was the last time you were in Lowe's and saw a pair of nesting Eagles picking out tile for the kitchen floor in their nest. How long ago has it been since you saw a kangaroo putting in a pool and sauna in their "back yard?" See many chimps at the hair dressers lately and many pigs buying lipstick. The last time you saw a sheep in a garter belt and stockings was because YOU put it in one, not because it wanted to wear them. Tell me, what animals have you seen lately at Macy's or Kohl's picking out shirts, pants or dresses besides humans? Watch out for those gorillas with sagging over sized pants, they might be in a criminal gang. When was the last time you saw a robin pack up and leave because a black bird moved into the tree next door? Seriously???


If you go out in the woods and get a tick or two on you, do you just leave them on you? If you get lice do you just go oh well and live with them? Hell at least the primates are smart enough to pick off the irritants such as ticks and lice and eat them. They are a good source of protein with out all the crap that humans want and love in their food.


""Man is the noblest work of God" well now who found that out?" Mark Twain.

ignoring the rest of the garbage....

"seriously?"

YES.
you don't see a correlation between human behavior and animal behavior?
About every other person in the world does you meatball.