"Think about what people are doing on Facebook [META] today.
They're keeping
up with their friends and family, but they're also building an image and identity for
themselves, which in a sense is their brand. They're connecting with the audience
they want to connect to. It's almost a disadvantage if you're not on it now."
1. Evaluate how his statement describes today's society and how it relates to your
situation? (Min 200 words)
Ans:
Imagine being hungry at night - I believe we all have been in that position before at some point.
What do you do? You head to the kitchen, of course! So, it's dark and late at night and you’re on a
conquest to satisfy your midnight hunger. You flip on the lights, and as the lights illuminate the dark room
you were onceare in, there it is - the refrigerator shining like a fresh oasis in the middle of the desert of
your late-night starvation.
With door covered in memories: photos from a fun time at the beach with your friends, your brother's
wedding with his... let’s just say, unfavored wife-to-be, and Teddy, your beloved childhood pet who had
passed away after a long, cherished life. Frozen in time, each shows a glimpse of your life, waiting to
spark conversations when guests come over.
But then, you open the door to see what lies behind. And just like that, your hopes come crashing down.
Empty.
So once again, you fell fall into a pit of despair with less hope to deal with your late-night troubles.
Isn’t it funny how something that seems so bright, engaging and filled to the brim with joy, can hide such
disappointment?
Now, what if I told you that this is what we have been seeing more of in today's era?
In today’s world, I believe most people have been hopping onto the trend of posting, communicating and
engaging with other people through social media apps (like Facebook, for instance!). Maybe, it’s to
satisfy your inner FOMO or just to show -off your wonderful life to for the public to see.
But have you ever considered that your social media profile is like your resumes or a business card, that
shows your image for other people to, see?
Think about how many people ask for your social media when you meet them for the first time. Even
official institutions now request it on applications! Today, it’s not just a way to connect – it’s a way for
people to peek into your life.
Who are your friends? Where do you hang out? What kind of person are you? Those questions would be
easily answered just by a simple swipe, scroll and click into someone’s social media account; and just like
opening a fridge door; boom – that’s your life in display. Terrifying, isn’t it?
At times, it could be a good thing! Your college admission officer might find your post interesting,
perhaps the photo you posted of your volunteering activities touch the heart of your dream university’s
admission officer. Or maybe the cute guy from the class next door, might discover your love for a good
comedy movie – who knows, it could be a start of something special!
Sometimes, it could be the total opposite. The “harmless joke” you left on a celebrity’s post? Your
counselor might not find it so funny.
So, before you hit ‘post,’ think twice. But also, remember: never judge a book by its cover… or in this
case, by its social media profile. You never really know what’s hiding behind the picture-perfect facade. It
could be exactly what you expected, or it might be a complete mess – one that sparks the start of your
villain arc.
And perhaps, keep note on who you talk to in the world of social media. You might not notice the
skeletons that are lurking behind the cupboard. An old man? A seven-year-old kid? A scammer? Or
perhaps, no “body”. What I mean is, what are the chances an AI bot takes over a social media account and
pretends to be a prince-charming as it slides into your DM… right?
2. If someone asked you for a quote, what would you tell them about identity and
social media? (+explain the quote)
Ans:
‘Social media is the mask you put on when entering the virtual world.’
Roll back to the COVID-19 pandemic, where face masks are mandatory in most public places. This trend
keeps on going for about 2 years, and even after the pandemic has officially ended, many individuals
haves made the decisions to keep it on longer (even some until today!)
Do you remember the day seeing your friend’s face without the mask after a long time? Some might look
totally different with their masks on.
Same applies in the virtual world too! These days, many haves the choice to post whatever they want,
whenever they want, giving you an image that they want you to depict them as even if it may not be
entirely true!
Some might not be as nice in real life, or some might be more of an angel thant what you think they are.
Your social media account is also your virtual mask on its own! Whatever you post there, stays there, and
people would automatically assume that you are what you posted. So, think twice before clicking on the
‘post’ button in your favorite social media app. After all, no face masks are completely transparent and it
should be kept that way.