“We are constantly placing ourselves as with the simple technology of
the mirror, into the picture and onto the screen. Through this activity of
making ourselves mediatized there is a frisson of fame where the self in its
reconstruction as a image enters into what we have grown to imagine as a
mediascape that constructs notoriety.”
(Marshall, 2010, pg. 499)
The rise of globalisation has brought about change in many
different forms. This week our focus is on how the changing online environment
has affected the way we view others and ultimately the way we view ourselves. But
in today’s society, we are to ask ourselves what makes a person celebrated? Are
we all celebrities?
Marshall (2010, pg 499) defines “specular economy” where collectively
we are becoming more conscious of how we present ourselves and how others perceive
us and this change is migrating to the epicentre of our knowledge economy.
Image Source: MemeBurn
Social media has changed the way we view ourselves online,
and it is no different for celebrities. Through globalisation and social media,
we are able to construct an alternate persona.
Giddens (cited in Rantanen 2005, pg. 6) identifies
globalisation as the intensification of world-wide social relations, which link
distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.
Celebrities are now, more than ever, able to connect on
another level with fans through social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram
and Keek. We now have an incredibly
complex presentation of the self through the screens of social media via the
Internet and mobile communication (Marshall, 2010, pg. 499).
Image Source: EntertainmentDelights
Celebrities can manipulate their public image by posting
pictures or videos of themselves in the best light possible. The unrealistic
world that they create through each medium is then broadcasted around the world
for anyone to see, including impressionable children and teenagers who idolise
these celebrities.
Fans are able to see what their favourite celebrity is up to
day or night, through one or a combination of social media sites. But, the
lines between what should be shared publicly and what should be kept privately
are becoming increasingly blurred. Countless celebrities have posted uncompromising images or videos of themselves online, but is it all just for publicity?
In our contemporary online screen culture, the intimacy
moves outward into a new quasi-public presentation of the self and a version of
ourselves that is mediated through various displays of text and image and
sometimes sound that are distributed through friendship networks and beyond
(Marshall, 2010, pg. 499).
Reference List
Marshal, P.D 2010, ‘The Specular Economy’, Society, vol. 47,
no. 6, pp. 498-502
Rantanen, T 2005, ‘Theorizing media and globalization’, Media and globalization 2005, Sage
Publications, London, pp. 1-18
Images:
It is good that you used a quote in the beginning, but it will be better if you explain that so it fit in with the post. I like how you post question, letting readers to reflect influence of celebrity culture. You explained ‘specular economy’ with Marshall’s reading, making it easier for readers to understand the concept. I like how you talked about social media construct persona, which images provided evidence, and link that to globalisation. I also like how you raise concern on the blurring line between public and private. You did well in using hyperlink, which provided more information.
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