In the article The problem with selfies the author expresses their view on the

new medium, selfies. The author uses an array of characterization to disprove that the
object in question are a form of new art medium. The author presents both a positive
aspect to the concept of selfies and examples, which diminish the form as an art.
Throughout the entire work, the author builds upon their thesis, that is that selfies are not
only a form of art, rather detrimental to human character. Ryan uses personal examples
and professional perspective to back his thesis up. While his viewpoints and article have a
strong presence of bias, his argument is indeed correct. It is both his formulation and
presentation of the thesis and personal examples which lead to agreement with the author.
Throughout the passage, the writer Daniel Ryan uses several instances to prove
his argument that selfies are not a form of art. The first of many instances in the work is a
personal example. In this personal example, the author retells the story of a visit to
Stonehenge, a location known to attract tourists based on history. However, we see that
tourists are not attracted for the actual context of Stonehenge, rather to take selfies there.
This example is correctly used in proving the authors thesis in that the individuals who
have travelled to this mysterious location have done it not for the majesty of the site, or
the mystery that has surrounded it for centuries, rather they have chosen to attend for
personal glory. It is evident that the tourists care much more about their own popularity
and the thoughts others have when seeing the individual next to this world-renown tourist
location. The concept of selfies does in fact promote isolation because the artist, that is to
say the individual who took the photograph, cares more about themselves and the glory
they acquire from taking a photograph of themselves with the monument more than the
monument itself. We see that this instance is detrimental in that narcissism is being
promoted. Narcissism by definition is the concept of caring for oneself and their own
personal well being above the rest. The individual presents no care for the monument, the
culture, or the history behind it, rather they care only for themselves. The personal
example of Stonehenge is a great form of supporting the thesis because through this one
story, the change in human nature has become evident; society has shifted from the
interests behind such majestic landmarks to caring more about the glory one attains for
simply snapping a photo near one and more importantly the popularity it gives the
individual, deterring from the concept of art.
In addition to a personal example, Ryan is able to strongly formulate his thesis by
providing information from experts. The author first uses the assertion from Professors
Pamela Ruterford to prove his point; selfies are not art, they are a detrimental medium.
Ruterford asserts that the medium of selfies is a method by which individuals can sell
their story. Other experts such as Karen Nelson who argues that sefies have turned people
into a product further support this assertion. The concept of humans as a product is
further supported by Teresa Hammons findings; females who present themselves in
provocative poses or attire gain a false sense of popularity. Ultimately, selfies are
detrimental because people no longer view themselves with autonomy. Philosopher
Sigmund Freud argued that humans are separate from other animals because they posses
autonomy. However it is evident that society no longer holds this ideal true. People now
care more about marketing themselves as a product. This is a violation of autonomy in
the sense that a person is no longer viewed as a person, nor are they viewed for being
themselves. In Hammons example we see that a girl would find it perfectly acceptable to
market herself in vulgarity for the sheer sense of false self-esteem. The individual no

longer cares for himself or herself, only how others view them. Through this example,
Ryan is able to further demonstrate why his point is indeed correct. Ryan uses shift in
society to show how selfies are not an art. They cannot be an art because they neither
promote two views the arts hold above all: uniqueness and creativity. Selfies have a
common formula, that is, the individual must do anything and everything possible to
market themselves as a false being. This cannot be art because it shows neither
authenticity nor creativity. Many view art as an expression of emotions, however through
the experts, we see that there is no emotion behind the concepts of selfies, only the ideals
of marketing. The problem with selfies, as presented by the experts, is it promotes the
deterioration of human character. The experts presented how the concept of a selfie has
shifted societys importance of humans from autonomous creatures, to products.
Similarly to Ryan and the experts presented in the article, I have seen first hand
the negative connotations to selfies, which not only disprove their merit as art but also
emphasize their negative impact on society. Currently we live in a world where the
heroes of many children are controversial icons. Many icons have not only partaken in
the trend of selfies but also promoted it. There are instances where the selfie may seem
harmless like that of Ryan Secrest in Time Square on the countdown to the new year,
however there are much greater instances in which the only thing a selfie is meant to do
is to spark controversy, similar to many of Miley Syrus selfies and actions. As a tutor at
local elementary schools and middle schools around campus, I have seen the negativity of
seflies. It is evident that children in grades 3 through 8 care little about themselves. One
could aruge against this, however this would be a difficult task to do after seeing how the
children treat themselves. The concept of selfies to these children, who are heavily
influenced by the media and their icons, is to sell yourself at any and all costs. The
children have shifted from the importance of personal autonomy and communication to
expression of words and actions through one photograph. I see children who daily opt to
take selfies as a means of communication rather than actually talking. Two fifth graders
who are right next to each other find it much more meaningful to express their mental
state through a photograph rather than communication. Kids attempt various tasks whose
outcome is significantly outweighed by the risk just so they can capture the task and
become popular. Even in college people fail to see the dangers of the selfie. I see
classmates who pay thousands of dollars to attend college and acquire a higher form of
education neglect their academic responsabilities as well as neglect any form of attention
to instructors with the aspiration that their selfie will give them five upvotes or a match
on tindr. People go so far as to take selfies of themselves completely nude just so they can
send them out to masses of strangers in the hopes of gaining poplularity. I present these
examples because much like Ryans own, they demonstrate that the negative outcomes of
the seflie outweigh any and all form of merit that would constitute selfies as an art. In my
examples I present how the idea of a selfie is detrimental because of the negative impacts
it has on society. Society has dettered to the point where children no longer care about
themselves. We see that the most important thing to an individual is a false sense of
popularity. A selfie, much like modeling is a false form of art. Similar to modeling, a
selfie presents impossible standards that no individual is capable of ever reaching. As a
result individuals hurt themselves and at times others around them in futile attempts to
reach these false standards. The children I discussed try to live up to their heroes at the
cost of their autonomy. They view the false sense of popularity and self-esteem as an

ultimate goal, which has resulted in a new defintion of the youth in which the culture as a
whole stoops to new lows. Furthermore we can see that even well educated adults have
negative characteristics when attempting the medium. We see that well educated
individuals perform careless actions for popularity. I personally view selfies as a form of
cancer in society, a cancer in which people no longer view themselves with respect, and
ultimately, that is why I agree with the author.
Selfies are not an art. They require neither creativity nor uniqeness. The medium
selfies have one focal point: popularity. In an attempt to gain this glory, individuals
become narcissistic and shallow. They being to care less and less about themselves and
more about becoming famous through false representation. Throughout the work, Ryan
presented several instances in which he successfully proved why a selfie is not a medium
of art. Ryan argued that selfies are a negative medium and a form of social regression. He
used the modern day view of monuments such as Stonehenge in which glory is more
important that culture and history. In addition Ryan presents expert viewpoints in which
the concept of a selfie is proven tot be anything but art., successfully proving his
argument. It is strongly shown that psychologists and marketing experts do not view
selfies as art. They view the medium as a way for individuals to trade in personal respect
and autonomy with the aspirations to market themselves. It is effectively presented that
human autonomy is no longer valued nor cared for. While Jerry Salz argues that selfies
are a form of expressing emotions, both Ryan and Teresa Hammon disprove this claim.
Ryan shows how the medium is only a bland form of narcissism in which there is no
demonstration of actual emotion. Teresa Hammon supports this by presenting how selfies
have failed to express empotion, only being able to give the partaker isolation and false
happiness. In an attempt to acquire this false hapinness, the individuals who partake
become narcasistic and only care about themselves as a product, not a person. In addition
to Ryans example and expert knowledge, I agree with the claim based on personal
examples. I discussed how this medium has impacted both children and young adults
alike. I have come to see individuals give up the majority if not all of their personal
respect with aspirations gaining false popularity through selfies. I have seen many
individuals come to harm themselves and their dreams due to one bad selfie. In an age
where everyone leaves a digital footprint, the selfie is no art. The selfie is a instrument in
which individuals do nothing more than harm themselves. While there is strong bias from
the article as well as myself, it can be strongly argued that the selfie is not an art, rather a
problem in modern day society.