3 ms·
>When we share photographs, we hope others will validate the facets of our identities that we embedded in those images. Knowing others can see the picture gives
by snakeyjake 3y ago
>When we share photographs, we hope others will validate the facets of our identities that we embedded in those images. Knowing others can see the picture gives it more emotional power. Feedback from others makes it feel more real.
Another log on the "psychology is just astrology for people who think they're scientists" bonfire.
When I share photographs I share them so that my 93-year old grandmother who lives 760 miles away can see what I'm up to. We then discuss those photographs on our Sunday phone call.
When my daughters share photographs they share them so I can see what they're up to. I live between 550 and 1100 miles away from them and genuinely want to see their kids and dogs and mountaineering adventures, so that we can talk about them during our weekly phone calls.
I don't need to validate any facet of my identity to my loved ones nor do they need to validate anything to me.
Perhaps the person who wrote that is extremely insecure about their life or their place in the world?
- voidhorse 3y agoI think this is a bad faith reading of the quote. Sure the author could have been more precise, but I think most fair readings would admit that the article is making a specific claim about the broad swath of photos distributed over channels like instagram as a participatory act in the medium, posted for many to consume, not e.g. family photos that are shared with specific people. The rest of the article pretty clearly establishes this framing.
- bikish 3y agoI was about to go to a psychologist in the next few weeks because I can't function socially anymore and I'm depressed, but your comment made me rethink my choice. Maybe I just have to live with my problems if psychology is just astrology and I can't get help even from them. Now I feel worse but thanks for stopping me from doing something that probably would be useless...
- snakeyjake 3y agoIf you feel as you say you do I wholeheartedly recommend you seek out a consultation with a psychiatrist, a licensed medical doctor who practices evidence-based medicine. It is better to rule out any underlying medical issues first before wasting time doing six months of poorly-reproduced CBT handouts to no effect.