Instagram has created a false reality for women where the ideal body is only obtainable through photo manipulation.
Since 2015, photo-editing apps like Facetune and Lightricks have accumulated over 100 million downloads and active subscribers. These pocket-sized photoshops have risen in popularity due to Instagram’s visual culture of self-images and the need for a digital identity. Optimized for selfie and portrait manipulation, users can smooth, slim, brighten, and hide insecurities in seconds.
Facetune by Lightricks Demo
Smoothing your complexion and sliming your waste seem subtle enough that no one could notice. If no one notices, there is no harm done. However, increase use of Instagram and photo editing has begun to damage our perception of reality. A recent study found girls ages 14-18 are unlikely to detect image manipulation on Instagram. In fact, they are more likely to rate retouched images more positively and find them more realistic.
The fact that our ideal physical body can only be achieved through digital manipulation is a symptom of the fourth revolution. According Luciano Floridi in “The Cambridge Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics” information is slowly becoming our ecosystem as the threshold between digital and analogue environments are blurred. He thinks this is probably a mistake as it advantages digital environments over our real carbon-based reality.
Instagram and Facetune have benefitted each other immensely. Instagram has created a visual environment that is directly tied to one’s digital and interpersonal identity where the need for perfection is a must, and Facetune allows any user to embody their desired digital identity which can translate to their interpersonal identity as long as the threshold between digital and analogue stays blurred.
Unfortunately, this blurring of the threshold disadvantages us. The common practice of manipulated images by non-influential users has normalized an unrealistic body ideal that is impossible to achieve. As a result, teenage girls face negative body-image and high image consciousness which puts them at higher risk for eating disorders, depression, and other mental illnesses.
Floridi says, “ICTs are making humanity increasingly responsible, morally speaking, for the way the world is, will and should be.” Therefore, it is important Instagram users consider the damage they cause when using Facetune for body manipulation because we end up only harming each other.
This is a really important topic. Even something as simple as editing your teeth to look whiter creates unrealistic standards and makes others self-conscious about their own smiles. However, I'm interested to know if you think the fault lies entirely with the users, or if the companies providing these image manipulation tools should also be held accountable. Part of me thinks that perhaps apps like Facetune should simply be banned in order to prevent the possibility of creating these unrealistic images. Additionally, I think you could have introduced the idea of a fourth revolution and Floridi a bit sooner, just to tie everything together. That being said, I really enjoyed your post and I think you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteAfter comparing this to your first post, I liked how much you added and elaborated on your points. I think adding in the Floridi article definitely helps, because it is super relevant to what you are talking about and ties in very well. I did like the Frankfurt bit in the last version though, and I think it still could have been okay to have both readings featured, because the bullshit point is definitely pertinent since you are talking about how everything being faked is harmful to people. I also think that mentioning the reading earlier could help to flow of the article too. However, overall this post makes some great points and definitely builds a lot from the first version!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! I feel as though it is really relatable, especially as someone who uses Instagram a lot. I like how you connected Floridi's idea of digital and analog environments becoming blurred to the impact that Facetune and Instagram have on society today. One recommendation is to introduce the ideas of the readings a little bit earlier, or to discuss the readings a bit more after you bring up each quote. Other than that great job!
ReplyDeleteJust another tiny recommendation: in your last paragraph you bring up the term "ICT," but it might be better to include a definition because someone who is not in this class might not know what that term means.
For someone who didn't know how Facetune works, the addition of the video is very helpful. I can tell that you have managed to elaborate on some of your ideas and your message seems clearer in your revision. Both Frankfurt and Floridi's works fit well in your content, but I do think that it would be helpful for you to introduce your argument earlier so that the readers know what to expect. I agree with the idea that there is a blurred line between the digital world and the reality. I think it would be interesting for you to also consider: Who should be responsible for the unrealistic standards that are being conveyed through Instagram?
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