Modern Happiness
Are we living in a society based on materialism, competing status competition with a happiness index measured by the number of likes we generate on virtual networking platforms?
From the moment we wake up until the second before we fall asleep, the digital universe is fully integrated in our daily life as we constantly try to be reachable and up-to-date about the hottest trends, the prevalent scandals and about our so called friends or followers current lives.
Studies report that the majority of people spend one third of their day
on the internet on average, taking the time clicking through stories
into account. Why do humans thrive to know what others are doing, when
all we see is a glimpse of a certain captured moment, which authenticity
we are unable to assess? Now more than ever, we can and we like to
express ourselves through a captured moment on social media. We are
louder than we used to be and we are screaming for attention but more
importantly for recognition. In the story section, through our likes or
postings we can publish how we feel, what we are interested in, what we
love or desire. Brands can connect with their customers easily by
touching their souls and cooperating with influencers, with who people
can identify with.
"You are what you share"
- Charles Leadbeater, We Think: The Power Of Mass Creativity -
How plausible are sponsored postings or rather every content on social media? In public we choose to appear in a positive light which shadows does not exist. A new form of happiness that distorts reality and possibly influences people in a negaitve way, assuming not to be able to reach their level of happiness, their perfection, ideal body, flawless face or materialistic properties.
In 2019, Instagram announced to abolish the like-button to avoid the pressure of posting common popular photos. The program aims to create stronger "digital welfare". The platform tests their strategy in chosen countries such as Canada, Italy or Japan, where only the publisher of the posting can view the number of likes.
However, not every posting has to be regarded as truthful. While these days a lot of accounts are run by professionals, we also have to take a look at creative non commercial accounts to widen our perspectives and keep induviduality. Indeed, we are what we are share but it does not fully mirrors our life nor does it define our happiness. Self-reflection and confidence is key to distance oneself from digital influences. Lastly, one posting is only one glimpse of a whole bigger life that is waiting ooutside the digital world.
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