streekgeek

Syag – lol! With a straight mind like yours I’m not sure if you’ll come up with anything substantial to post 😉

Little Froggie – Uh uh! Lurkers are invisible. If you post there is no way you are invisible.

I finally found someone with my view. Read this (written by Gracy Olmstead):

Are Instagram selfies and Twitter posts truly making us more narcissistic? Or are we merely viewing a greater publication of old human tendencies?

I would argue the latter. While the digital era could be making us more narcissistic, it seems more likely that it is doing exactly what it was created to do: showcasing the self in all its glory. As long as humans have roamed the planet, they have had selfish tendencies. But prior to the rise of social media, they did not have a global platform for this grandstanding. High school, with all its intense and sticky drama, was documented profusely in letters and diaries, but it rarely appeared in public discourse. Now, via Facebook, young adults have a communal outlet for their emotionally turbulent lives. Facebook is, in many ways, the new diary.

In addition, arguing that young adults are more narcissistic than ever seems too simplistic. Many young people are immature and tend to be self-interested. It is only with experience and age that we learn the planet does not revolve around us. Once again, this generation has a wider global platform for self-pontification than ever before. This may skew the narcissism balance in their favor. Not to mention that the young are less adept at disguising their selfishness. With age, we learn how to hide our self-absorption behind facades of one sort or another. Time makes some humble; it makes others clever.

I know this is just an opinion and is not based on facts, but the fact is this is my opinion as well, just worded a lot better.

I’ve read up a lot about this and well, I guess the number of people who are narcissistic are increasing. However, I have not found any sources saying that this increase has anything to do with young adults as individuals. Rather, it is (and here I quote) “the ‘now or never’, ‘we only live once’ ‘promote yourself’ marketing because you are the most important person in the world, or you can be if you do what everyone else is doing’. Blow your ego up or else you will be blown away, ignored by everyone.”

Also, “Lets not forget today’s parents who are raising children whose every whim must be obeyed and catered to. Our culture is saying to kids and young adults ‘be a narcissist’. Some hear the siren song and obey, and a few try to be wiser and resist. But in the tide of people rushing to follow the mass media’s sucking of everyone down the ‘rabbit hole’ or narcissism, who can resist the flood?”

However I also came across this study that says: “All great societies and civilizations passed through a similar stage of narcissism on their way to depravity and total collapse. All our technology and wealth of wisdom won’t stop us from being equally stupid. Humans are vain and can’t pass a mirror without admiring themselves. Enjoy the ride—it’s all downhill.”

A bit depressing but it sort of proves my point that it’s not only in this generation. It has happened before due to various factors. And just saying, I didn’t find anywhere that the increase in selfies is linked to narcissism. So this whole Aish article was literally making a mountain out of a molehill, which was why I started this thread. With that I rest my case.

fkelly – I’m not a big fan of snapchatting everything I eat either.

I’ll agree with you on this one WIY (lol is that a first) but times have changed and even I see it, and I’m nowhere near 25. Well not nearly anyways.

I will definitely spend some time reading up on this. I’ll be back 🙂

I am actually not a fan of selfies. No snapchatting for me…. Psychologists can talk all they want but I seriously believe they are wrong in regard to this issue.

lol HLM you are so asking for a fight…

You seriously agree with the outright lie that society today is more narcissistic than previous generations? What’s the proof to back that up? That people take selfies? I mean, seriously. Have you ever learnt world history? I know for myself that I am so glad I was born in this era and not in some previous time where people trampled on others because they weren’t white, Christian, or male. Todays generation may be a bit more self absorbed with all the technology, but to say that we’re all narcissists is, in my opinion, a bit preposterous.

once innocent – To add on to my question – are you one of those that truly believe that every person is intrinsically a good person and means well? I’m just trying to understand why you would give him a second chance…

fkelly – let’s extend that statement little further: don’t believe anything you read, period!

yehudayona – Sounds interesting, would you know when that was or how I could find it?

No i don’t entertain such thoughts anymore b”h.

So segregation doesn’t stem from thoughts of a narcissist? Lack of women’s rights, slavery, serfs and lords…all nothing to do with feeling superior over others and obsessing over yourself????

You must know everything.

WIY: I did not say that! Please do not put words in my mouth. I just don’t encounter weird circumstances where a call or email to a rabbi is necessary.