Although societal pressures may influence an individual’s likelihood to conform to social norms, it is important to stay true to who you are by not allowing negative forces to overcome you. It is within the human condition to crave human relationships with others, however balance between being yourself and gaining insight from outer sources is of utmost importance to maintain your authenticity. Both Clive Thompson’s “I 'm So Totally, Digitally Close to You” and Sophocles’ Antigone demonstrate the detrimental effects society can be to oneself.
Social media was created as a means of communication, connecting society on a global scale. However, this power of excessive knowledge has quickly become overused. Instead of (Thompson)learning things …show more content…
These interactions amount to low self-esteem and an everlasting desire to become something that is out of reach. Social media portrays these individuals as airbrushed goddesses who have amazing social lives, when in reality on a day to day basis they are more likely than not sitting on the couch in sweats, without make-up on, watching Netflix. This curtain of publicity vs. actuality is what causes the public to continue to work towards something that does not truly exist. Seeking a life that is unachievable can be compared to a pipe dream. Thompson continues to exemplify the negative aspects of social media with his statement “These technologies allow you to be much more broadly friendly, but you just spread yourself much more thinly over many more people.” (qtd. Thompson, par. 33) In order to maintain true lasting friendships you must apply yourself and work for it. While technology has opened up doors and granted access to those who struggle with long distance relationships of all kinds it has also become people’s preferred form of communication. As my parents joke about, back in the day if you wanted to talk to someone you would actually have to see them in person! They say this in a sarcastic tone but it truly is important to recognize how sometimes the new way isn’t
Social media was created as a means of communication, connecting society on a global scale. However, this power of excessive knowledge has quickly become overused. Instead of (Thompson)learning things …show more content…
These interactions amount to low self-esteem and an everlasting desire to become something that is out of reach. Social media portrays these individuals as airbrushed goddesses who have amazing social lives, when in reality on a day to day basis they are more likely than not sitting on the couch in sweats, without make-up on, watching Netflix. This curtain of publicity vs. actuality is what causes the public to continue to work towards something that does not truly exist. Seeking a life that is unachievable can be compared to a pipe dream. Thompson continues to exemplify the negative aspects of social media with his statement “These technologies allow you to be much more broadly friendly, but you just spread yourself much more thinly over many more people.” (qtd. Thompson, par. 33) In order to maintain true lasting friendships you must apply yourself and work for it. While technology has opened up doors and granted access to those who struggle with long distance relationships of all kinds it has also become people’s preferred form of communication. As my parents joke about, back in the day if you wanted to talk to someone you would actually have to see them in person! They say this in a sarcastic tone but it truly is important to recognize how sometimes the new way isn’t