Selfies, Selfies, and More Selfies (PB)

In our world today, taking pictures of ourselves is completely normal.  Whether it's from showing off our outfit of the day or just taking a picture of our own face, people do it all the time.  In our society, we have named those pictures "selfies."  But what really is a selfie?  Is it something people that are full of themselves post on social media, or is it more than that?  Is it a self-image thing?  Is it to get attention?  Is it about being comfortable in our own skin and being happy with who we are?  I'm sure the answer to some or all of those questions could be yes depending on who you are.  So to start defining what a selfie is, I googled the definition.

Selfie:A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media

This is obviously a very vague definition.  As a teenager, I have first hand experience with selfies.  The stress that comes with trying to take the perfect selfie is unbelievable.  Does my hair look okay?  How is my smile?  Did I take this picture at the right angle?  Like I said... STRESSFUL!  So why would we put ourselves through all of that?  The things we put ourselves through to take a picture is crazy.  But, hey, maybe it's worth it.  

Maybe selfies help with self-image.  Every young boy or girl should be happy with who they are.  That is something that I feel very passionate about.  As a teenager, I get it because I've gone through the same stuff, we are put under so much pressure.  Between advanced level classes to sports and extra-curricular activities, we have a lot on our plate.  There's not enough time left at the end of the day to be putting ourselves down for how we look.  Accept who you are.  Embrace it. 

Not all selfies are necessarily to boost confidence for someone with self-image issues.  Sometimes selfies can be pretty "risk-ay."  There is a huge difference between an innocent selfie and a selfie that shows a little too much skin.  Good for you if you are really comfortable in your own skin, but use your good morals when taking selfies.  Remember, you can never take that picture back once it has been posted.  Not all pictures that we take of ourselves are the original either.  Thirty-six percent of people have retouched or edited their selfie. If you're going to take a picture of yourself, at least let it be the real you, not some re-touched version.

After considering these things, I came up with my own definition of a selfie.  A selfie is a self-expression of ourselves.  It shows confidence in ourselves.  It shows bravery.  Posting a picture of yourself for everyone to see takes guts.  You are giving everyone the opportunity to judge you and you do not care.  That is admirable.   So keep taking selfies.  I don't mind seeing them all the time.  I just hope that the person in front of the camera is taking the picture for themselves and not just for other people.

 "What if it becomes less about how we look and more about how much we care?  Imagine a world where who we are in our hearts is the ultimate status symbol."

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Controversy (SSR)

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Controversy Article

A lot of controversy has been happening over the recent ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and I wanted to put my opinion out to everyone.  People are arguing that the challenge is ridiculous, stupid, and it is probably not "safe" to do due to the drastic, sudden change in temperature because of the ice.  If someone feels that they are going to be in danger if they participate in the challenge, then they do not have to do it.  If someone does not wish to participate, then they also do not have to.  It should be something fun to spread awareness of a disease that many  people did not know ever existed.  I think that it is great that people have been spreading awareness.  People should know about the different illnesses people deal with everyday.  Also, I think that all of the money that they have raised for patients with ALS is great.  Nobody is forced to pay money, and even if someone does not complete the challenge, they are not forced to donate by anyone. 

I think that the challenge should stay just that, a challenge.  Challenging people to step outside their realm of thinking and considering the hardships of others is a challenge that I am willing to accept, and I hope that others are too.  The Ice Bucket Challenge is simply the visual representation of something so much greater than dumping ice water on our heads.  It is a representation of acknowledging that we do not want people struggling with ALS to feel alone.  People have learned more about the disease and have therefore become more aware of what it is.  I think that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has done more good than bad, and that people have learned about something that normally they would know nothing about.