The document discusses the rise of selfies and selfie culture. It explores how self-portraits have evolved from sitting for hours for formal portraits, to using Polaroid cameras, to now taking instant selfies on smartphones and sharing them on social media. Taking selfies and sharing them online provides an instant sense of gratification and validation through likes and comments. However, some argue this culture of constant self-portraiture can become obsessive or addictive. The document traces how selfies have grown from a few hashtags on Instagram to a global phenomenon.

1. Selfie – Obsessive Behaviour

2. Image by Matthew (via Flickr)
“Self-image is important, and not always in
a narcissistic way. It's how we define
ourselves, and present for others to see.
We rely on others' perceptions, judgments
and appraisals to develop our social self.”

3. Image by Wally Gobets (via Flickr)
The importance of self-image is not a new concept. It has
always existed. Hundreds of years ago, people sat for hours.

4. Image by Moominsean (via Flickr)
50 years ago, Polaroid’s were invented. After
taking a photo, you waited a few minutes to
see the results.

5. Image by Intel Free Press (via Flickr)
Today, it is easier than
ever to take photos of
yourself.

6. Selfie sticks are
selling out all over
the world to help
people #selfie

7. Image by David Ramalho (via Flickr)
“The first
smartphone with a
forward-facing
camera was the
watershed moment.
You only need this
second, forward-
facing camera if you
want to take pictures
of yourself. Could
there be any more
conclusive indication
of the ubiquity of the
self-portrait or
"selfie"?”

8. Image by Michael Semensohn (via Flickr)
And you are instantly gratified because the results are
visible instantly. And if you aren’t satisfied? You can delete it
and take another.

9. Image by Got Credit (via Flickr)
And then you can immediately
share it with others. Across the
world!

10. Image by Kevin Dooley(via Flickr)
Images can be shared with
thousands of other people.
Its immediacy - Look where I
am! Look what I'm doing!
Look at what I look like! - is
exciting. To some.

11. And others can validate your personal image, or your new
haircut, or how you look (etc). It feels good.
Image by Carl Reather (via Flickr)

12. “Social media is so perfectly
designed to manipulate our
desire for approval”
Image by Pierre Rattini (via Flickr)

13. “a 22-year-old Instagram user from Lincoln, believes they
elicit a feel-good factor. ‘It's always nice to document a good
hair day, or an outfit you love. And generally, especially with
Instagram, there's a real feel-good attitude towards selfies,
and as vain as it may be, you know that if you're not feeling
great, there's someone who will 'like' your photo and tell
you you're pretty.’”
Image by Kilotto (via Flickr)

14. “A search on photo sharing app Instagram
retrieves over 23 million photos uploaded
with the hashtag #selfie, and a whopping 51
million with the hashtag #me.”
Image by Leo Hidalgo (via Flickr)

15. Image by Stemoc (via Flickr)
The selfie is one of the most popular ways to
post — and garner the most likes from
followers

16. Narcissism.
Image by Murray Steele (via Flickr)

17. Selfie-ism is everywhere.
The word "selfie" has been
bandied about so much in
the past six months it's
currently being monitored
for inclusion in the Oxford
Dictionary Online.

18. Psychologists say taking
selfies can turn into an
addiction
Image by JulieFaith (via Flickr)

19. Image by Ron Mader (via Flickr)

20. References
Image by Yum9me (via Flickr)
• Erickson, Christine. “The Social Psychology of the Selfie”. Mashable. 15 February 2013. Web. 11 June 2015.
• “Self-portraits and Social Media: The Rise of the ‘Selfie’”. BBC News Magazine. 7 June 2013. Web. 11 June 2015.
• “History of Polaroid.” Polaroid. PLR Ecommerce. n. d. Web. 11 June 2015.
• Ronson, Jon. “How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life.” The New York Times Magazine. 12 February 2015. Web. 11 June 2015.
• Peterson, Hayley. “Selfie Sticks Are Selling Out Everywhere.” Business Insider. 31 December 2014.
• Franco, James, “The Meanings of the Selfie.” The New York Times. 26 December 2013.
• “’Selfie Addiction’ Is No Laughing Matter, Psychiatrists Say.” The Huffington Post. 25 March 2014.
• Kilner, James. “The science behind why we take selfies.” BBC News. 17 January 2014.
• Boyd, Danah. “Why Snapchat is Valuable: It’s All About Attention.” LinkedIn. 21 March 2014.