One could be self-absorbed to a degree that the mere image of oneself could lead one to tragic consequences – that is the lesson of the Greek legend of Narcissus. Two Sri Lankan girls on holiday in distant Oman, earlier this month, died tragically in their effort to take self-photographs with their mobile phone cameras.
They had been touring the desert oasis of Ain Garziz with its deep spring and, in their excitement over taking ‘selfies’, fell into the water and reportedly drowned before they could be saved.
In Sri Lanka, also earlier this month, a Chinese woman on vacation here died when attempting to take a self-photo while on a moving train.
The word ‘selfie’ entered our lexicon only a few years ago. Very much a word of the smart phone age, it means a photo that one has taken of himself with a smartphone. The Internet, especially Facebook, has made the selfie even more popular – just shoot your picture and instantly upload it to the Internet for the whole world to see.
The wondrous ‘smart’ technology of this post-modern age offers us boundless means of self-imaging and, the seduction of self-aggrandizement.
The popularity of the selfie means that people sometimes go to extreme lengths to take pictures of themselves. If one forgets oneself while taking the picture that could sometimes result in tragedy.
Reports indicate that selfie-related deaths have taken place mostly due to falling or when attempts are made to take a selfie while on a moving vehicle.
Selfies are now a part of the web culture and some think it is a mental illness.
It is interesting to note that selfie deaths have become so common in the world that, in countries like Russia, the government has issued a guide with details on how not to die while taking a picture of yourself.
Selfies are not bad
Dr. Ramani Ratnaweera, Consultant Psychiatrist, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya said, these type of incidents are becoming common because people are addicted to social media.
“Selfies aren’t bad. If someone is going on a tour and there’s no one to take pictures, that person can take his own pictures by way of a selfie.”
However, Dr. Ratnaweera is of the view that it could have a negative impact on people who are concerned about body weight , looks and those who are obsessed with their figures.
“For them the selfie will increase their negative thinking.
“They will look at their picture over and over again and be more and more negative of their appearance,” she added.
Social media
Dr. Ratnaweera elaborating more on the issue says that photography has become some kind of a style now, especially, in social media and it has become a trend since it is connected to social media, which has a huge impact on society and culture in a country.
“People when using the Internet should use it intelligently and should make sure that they don’t waste their time on it by being addicted to it.”
She also mentioned the fact that most of the time when people try to take photographs they try to capture the best.
“To capture a bigger area they go backwards and so on and for a moment they would lose sense of where they are.”
Self image
Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Sri Jayavardhanapura, believes that people are so obsessed with self images nowadays and therefore selfies are a perfect way to portray it.“People just love their self image to an extent that it has now become an obsession.”
He also added that according to his knowledge, if someone takes about 13 selfies per day it’s considered normal. But if it exceeds 20 then it’s an issue, a mental condition which needs medical attention.
Transformation
Dr. Abeysundara says that society is gradually becoming more and more selfish and it has in fact caused serious social issues. “I am not saying social media is evil and therefore people should refrain from using them. But, there has to be some kind of control. Why would you risk your life for a photograph?,” he questions.
He feels that Individualism is present now, as never before. However, Dr. Abeysundara says, it is perfectly natural for a human to be selfish but today, it has reached a point of no return. “It’s getting worse day by day,” he added.
Solution
While explaining that there is a dire need to make people aware of the technology they use, Dr. Abeysundara also mentioned the fact that people are maintaining their social relationships through the mobile phone.
“There is hardly any intellectual discussion happening in society. Of course, social media and other developments are necessary, and society should develop. But, values should not be forgotten,” he lamented.
Message
Psychiatrist Ratnaweera’s message to selfie-takers: “Think of your safety first. It is true that you have to enjoy life, but one should not risk their lives while trying to enjoy it. There is no harm in using social media and following trends but make sure you use it for your betterment.”