Wednesday, May 26, 2010

It's all about me

These days, people are obsessed with themselves. I think we owe much of it to all those social networking sites. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc has created millions of mini self-obsessed monsters. Don't you think so? It's all about me, right? I'm guilty of it, too. Of course I'm not speaking for everyone out there, but I noticed it has become more and more the norm. At the gym? In class? Out with your Boo? Update your status or send out tweets and let the world know. Everyone's a celebrity. I do use facebook and used to have Twitter, but I'm too lazy for self-promotion. I don't know how I'd be if I wasn't such a lump slouching on the couch all day. Who knows? Maybe I'd be a self-proclaimed celebrity, too.

I'm not hating on them, promise. But I do think it's a bit silly. But more importantly: is it a good thing or a bad thing? You post a picture up, you know the kind I'm talking about. The I'm-fishing-for-compliments one. And everyone oohs and ahhs over it regardless of whether they think it's great or not. Oh, and you KNOW it's for compliments because then I hear people complaining about how no one commented on their picture. *sigh*

Compliments are great, but I like them better when they come from people I actually interact with and hang out with. Not people I don't know very well and see once every two years. People who I see everyday. My friends  or sisters who aren't afraid to tell me I look ugly when appropriate.  Maybe these compliments help lift one's self esteem but does it too much? I think there needs to be a balance between low self esteem and thinking you're the hottest thing alive.

I was a little chubby in my preteens and got teased by it. That affected me a lot. and crushed my self-esteem. I have a kid sister and I'd rather her think herself beautiful than insecure of herself. How do I do that without it getting to her head? My mother never showered us with compliments when we were younger. I recently asked her why and she said we're pretty enough and she "didn't want it to get to my head. " Wait, was that a compliment in itself?

So if you had to choose, which would you prefer and why? {A} people crying over how ugly they are or {B} people who think their God's gift to the world? I know that these are two extremes, but if you had to, which would you pick? It's a tough decision. But I think I'd rather be option B. Because at least I'd have a little confidence. But there are major pros and cons for both. I'd rather be B, but I wouldn't like myself if I met me.
Actually I wouldn't like myself if I were A either. They're just really extreme, but I thin there are more A's and B's cmoing up and not enough of a mixture of both.

Writing this post reminded me of Zoolander:
  • Derek Zoolander: I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.
  • Derek Zoolander: Well I guess it all started the first time I went through the second grade. I caught my reflection in a spoon while I was eating my cereal, and I remember thinking "wow, you're ridiculously good looking, maybe you could do that for a career."
    Matilda: Do what for a career?
    Derek Zoolander: Be professionally good looking.  
  • Derek Zoolander: Why do you hate models, Matilda?
    Matilda: Honestly?
    Hansel: Yes.
    Matilda: I think they're vain, stupid, and incredibly self-centered.
    Hansel: I totally agree with you. But how do you feel about male models?  
  • Derek Zoolander: I'm sorry that good-looking people like us made you throw up and feel bad about yourself. 
  • Derek Zoolander: So join now, 'cause at the Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too, we teach you that there's more to life than just being really, really, really good looking. Right kids?

13 comments:

Farnnay said...

I'm glad your back.

Irie said...

I'm not sure if I'd rather the world be full of either. I kinda like FB...aside from keeping me in touch w/ those I've moved away from (I'm really bad at keeping in touch)...it's also nice to read about the mundane everyday things we go through in life...things that I can't witness b/c of distance. IDK....just me though.

Sana said...

Thanks CA :)

Irendi: I gotcha, It's really useful and an easy way to keep in touch with people. but I'm mostly talking about people who've become like really self centered on it or w/e. idk. Maybe it's just some people on my friends list like that? *shrugs*
I go off on tangents a lot

Little Ms Blogger said...

I think both people are insecure. One under compensating and the insecurity is obvious, but the one who thinks they are god's gift can also be very insecure and over compensating for their lack of self confidence.

I know both types and don't trust the ones thinking their god's gift. In my experience, they're secretative, have an agenda and stab you in the back to get there.

If you're confident in who you are, you'll attract confident people and will not have too many close people to you in life (other than family) being either extreme.

Unknown said...

I agree with that. Why would you tweet your on a date while on it? Pay attention to your date! Then tweet later!

I'd rather think I was awesome. (Cause I am ;) People who fish for compliments by saying their ugly, drive me crazy!

Muslim Girl said...

Falling Up, do you have another blog? I commented on this same exact post on another blog and now I'm so confused!

Either way, I don't think FB and Twitter are bad if you're using it them for self-promotion if you have a blog or business or something.. but yeah I see what you mean about "fishing-for-compliments", and I think that's what a LOT of people (and can I say GIRLS?) use it for!

Sana said...

Little Ms. Blogger: Good point!I agree and tend to not be as open with type B.

Anastasia: LOL. I think you're pretty awesome, too :) I hate when I'm out with people and all they're doing is tweeting. WHYYY??

Muslim Girl: I did for like 2 days lol. I tweaked this one and put it up here instead! I agree: I don't mind if it's for a business, but I'm not a fan of all the personal updates.

Farnnay said...

I didnt read the entire post the first time around. Forgive me. :)

I wouldnt choose A or B because like you said they are both really extreme. but people who do either A or B are, indeed, really irritating. I would choose C. When people give you a compliment say Thank you, accept it, and move on. AND accept the fact that everyone has ugly moments, like the first sight of yourself when you wake up in the morning.

So C. I would choose C.

Unless C is something else entirely.

In that case, I would choose
D. Prefer not to answer.

Liza said...

There was a low point in my life when I felt like an "A". Now that I'm past that, I would rather choose B.

Facebook can be abused, I know I do, in the sense of wasting time and goofing off. However, if you're complaining about your lack of comments and the like then its time to really take a good look at yourself and find out why that bothers you so much.

In that sense Facebook can be a learning tool if people figure out they have low self esteem or are terrible procrastinators, like me.

Artistic Logic said...

yes it is a ME-fest and has been for a while...and about your options
sheesh no middle ground lol i think both type A and B are incredibly annoying
type A makes you want to smack them because of how ungrateful they are i mean a little complaint here and there everyone is allowed, but all the time is terrible
type B just makes me uncomfortable but i think in reality those who outwardly "love" themselves and proclaim it to the world have a lot of confidence issues that they hide...
i know a lot of girls that are comfortable in their skin and they're usually the ones who naturally exude beauty, not necessarily physically, but i guess their attitude/confidence makes them so attractive all the time!!
good post =)

provoking invoking said...

i like your post a lot..
i just wish people could wake up and realize, life is really truly short (i know thats a cliche, but do we stop and think). time is going so fast, not to be wasted on dwelling over the blessing God gave us in our appearance, spending more time in front of the screen then paying attention to the true beauties of life around you.. stop and reflect on what's important and what have i prepared for the day I'm going to die?

provoking invoking said...

oh, and zoolander is the best movie evar

MaryAnne said...

I have an A for a sister, and a semi-B for a husband... I can't decide which I hate more. Probably A, but I'd never want to be a B they are so pathetic!!!