The above video of Miley Cyrus twerking has in my opinion set up a trend and made some fans feel the need to follow suit. Due to technology and increase in use of social media, people are able to display their personas online. Marshall explains that this public presentation of oneself is seen through the 'two-way mirror of projection' of which it has affected how we are slowly 'moving into the specular economy'. (2010, p498). Marshall further argues that this has affected how we want to present ourselves and how we want others to perceive us (2010, p499). Just like celebrities are always under surveillance, I in some way feel like I need to portray a good image to the world because am constantly being watched over. Instagram and facebook for instance has given it's users the opportunity to display themselves to the world. Just a couple of months ago, one of my friends asked me to join keek which is a media channel that allows people to share 36second videos. Going back to my keek profile and the videos I've shared reminds me of Marshall's argument on surveillance. I find myself always trying to find the perfect background and trying to look my best before I can share a video of myself.
References:
Marshall P. D, 2010, 'The Specular Economy', Springer Science and Business Media, pp498-499
Marshall P.D.2013, 'Persona Studies: mapping the proliferation of the public self', Journalism, p.1
Hey Chi Chi,
ReplyDeleteYour Blog this week has really given me the notion that this topic really correlates with your active involvement situated around the Celebrity subculture. Marshall, gave you, as well as i, a fantastic theory that makes us think more indepth on how we are so pursuaded into following in the footsteps of our most favourite celebrity. The specular mirror is a great way in making us understand how the 'celebrity' culture has effected many societies. We feel the need to perceive and act in a certain way in order for others to feel the same view we hold on ourselves. Your blog was insightful and it was parallel to the arguements articulated by Marshall. On a side note, it is frightening how we have a sense of comfortability when it comes to surveillance. well done!
Your blog post for this week critically explored the way in which celebrities have been thrust into the spotlight and are role models for their millions of fans around the world. This week’s reading by Marshal brought to light scholarly research behind the celebrity trope which has become an obsession in this day and age. You took quotes from the article and used them very well to back up your stance that celebrities are powerful trend setters. Facebook and Instagram were both good examples of ways that people can express themselves through the internet and your point of surveillance and the need to be careful how you are presented was well written.
ReplyDeleteHi Chi Chi!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post this week! You have really captured the essence of Marshall's specular economy. Due to the rising surveillance of celebrities in social media such as Instagram and Keek, they are more prevalent in people's day to day lives. Because of this, I too find myself subconsciously following what they are doing- portraying myself in a certain way because of the feeling of being watched. You managed to sophisticatedly summarise how global celebrities have great power in the 21st Century. Additionally, your examples are recent and relevant which helped me relate to your post even more.
Great job!
Hi Chi Chi
ReplyDeleteA very interesting blog I find, especially with your statement of how celebrities have been thrust into the spotlight and they are role models for their millions of fans around the world. I do agree that celebrity have a great influence to our modern society, for example, the hairstyle, the makeup, the fashion, let alone their figure and the way they speak or present themselves in the public.
The quote you use together with the concept / theory you draw from Marshall clearly makes us think more indepth of how we can be so easily persuaded into following something that can be artificially important. Whilst your raise of examples of the famous celebrities added extra weight on our perception on celebrities: we look to celebrities for their comments on anything that matters to us. However, it would be great if you could provide an example of what exactly that they do or say, which has greatly influenced and affected the way in which people behave or present themselves.
Your discussion on Marshall 'two-way mirror of projection' and your statement of ‘celebrities are always under surveillance’ is so true: celebrities are always being watched specially by the paparazzi. This is so similar to the way we live our life, constantly thinking and worrying, hence cautious in the way we present ourselves to our family and friends.
Hi Chi Chi,
ReplyDeleteYou are right in saying that celebrities hold a massive amount of power in shaping sub cultures and influencing what is 'in' at any given time. Marshal's idea of a two-way moirror of projection is indeed correct in it's theory that we are powerfully able to recreate and represent ourselves in a desired way online.
This is particularly interesting as I believe that most people judge the merits of others primarily through social media, quite often before they've even met the person in real life.
Hey Chi Chi, lovely post!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with all the points you’re making here; you’ve obviously read and understood Marshall as well which improves your argument. Good use of imagery and video to make the post deeper and more interesting. Overall a great job on an interesting topic! Good luck with the rest of the posting!