Making sense of the Internet...
Warning: Some NSFW language below. Lately, I’ve felt stagnated. I feel like my identity has frozen in place, and I am constantly looking back at a distant memory of who I used to be. In the present, I am questioning how to return to a former “self”. The past-self, in my mind, is more creative, less concerned with the opinions of others and more open to trying new things. My current self is more contemplative, anxious, and perhaps, more aware of the implications of putting myself out there. In the social media age, we feel the burning glare of watchful eyes in an unprecedented manner. We create with the intent of being seen and judged. Although the idea of being critiqued is not exclusive to the Internet, I’d argue that interactions on Internet platforms are more immediate and intensive. If you post something, it’s likely to offend at least three people on your Facebook list, and one person will probably tell you about it. Internet exchanges become inflammatory because of t...