Why I say "no grazie" to the selfie-stick
A random post indeed, but it's something that's been on my mind since late August when I got back from my summer apostolate in Kolkata, India. Over my first school year in Rome, there were lots of Bengali immigrants who make a living selling things around the city. If it's raining, they're there with umbrellas and ponchos (even right outside the University!). If it's hot--they've got cold water! Windy--scarfs to prevent cervicale (Happens when one gets "hit by the wind" on the back of their neck)--whatever the occasion, they are there trying to sell their product. In late summer though, I noticed that they were now pushing a new product. The brought to the streets of Rome:
Most people might think this is a "wonderful product", "a genus idea!" or "a brilliant invention"...and maybe they are right, I mean, after all, the product allows one to be in a picture they take, or take a picture with another person/group of people with ease. But, I want to quickly say I personally dislike the product and I always say "no grazie" when they try to sell me one.
For me, the selfie-stick feeds into a culture that is already so individualistic. "I don't need anyone because I can do this on my own, without help from another." And maybe it is a small thing--but to not let someone else take a picture for you because you'd rather do it on your own is, when you get down to it, a form of individualism. Think about it...when's the last time you can remember asking a stranger on the street "excuse me, do you mind taking a picture of me/us please?" (For the record, the last time I asked was in October when I was in Venice for a travel weekend and we wanted a group picture).
We human beings are made for community, we are made for interaction with each other, we need each other!! The former language teacher in me has to go all nerdy with the word. Community= Common Unity...We read Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 about the account of the early Church. They understood what a common unity amongst each other was about. Unfortunately the selfie-stick seems to be just one more product that subtly promotes us shutting out others in the name of "convenience."
One of the ways the early Church formed their community was through prayer. Praying for someone, especially in the liturgical context (Mass, Liturgy of the Hours) unites the entire Mystical Body of Christ together as one. It's so beautiful to know that when I go to Mass, I really am united with the Church Triumphant in heaven as well as all other believers around the world.
Even though you're in my prayers often (Philippians 1:3-4), I will be praying for you in a special way from December 21-January 2, as I am blessed to be able to participate in the North American College pilgrimage to the Holy Land! We will be lodging in Galilee and Jerusalem, but I will be bringing you and your intentions to each the sites we will visit. If you have any specific intentions I can pray for, please email me (kpleaver@gmail.com) by Saturday Dec. 20 so I can add it to my list.
Although brief, I hope that you too can say no to the selfie-stick and be part of the community.
Praised be Jesus Christ...
--kpl
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| The Selfie-Stick! |
For me, the selfie-stick feeds into a culture that is already so individualistic. "I don't need anyone because I can do this on my own, without help from another." And maybe it is a small thing--but to not let someone else take a picture for you because you'd rather do it on your own is, when you get down to it, a form of individualism. Think about it...when's the last time you can remember asking a stranger on the street "excuse me, do you mind taking a picture of me/us please?" (For the record, the last time I asked was in October when I was in Venice for a travel weekend and we wanted a group picture).
We human beings are made for community, we are made for interaction with each other, we need each other!! The former language teacher in me has to go all nerdy with the word. Community= Common Unity...We read Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 about the account of the early Church. They understood what a common unity amongst each other was about. Unfortunately the selfie-stick seems to be just one more product that subtly promotes us shutting out others in the name of "convenience."
One of the ways the early Church formed their community was through prayer. Praying for someone, especially in the liturgical context (Mass, Liturgy of the Hours) unites the entire Mystical Body of Christ together as one. It's so beautiful to know that when I go to Mass, I really am united with the Church Triumphant in heaven as well as all other believers around the world.
Even though you're in my prayers often (Philippians 1:3-4), I will be praying for you in a special way from December 21-January 2, as I am blessed to be able to participate in the North American College pilgrimage to the Holy Land! We will be lodging in Galilee and Jerusalem, but I will be bringing you and your intentions to each the sites we will visit. If you have any specific intentions I can pray for, please email me (kpleaver@gmail.com) by Saturday Dec. 20 so I can add it to my list.
Although brief, I hope that you too can say no to the selfie-stick and be part of the community.
Praised be Jesus Christ...
--kpl
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