Post Modernism
I believe Postmodernism is an expression of rebellion. Postmodernism represents the individual ability to question, discover and interpret life in whatever manner they see fit. As a product of Postmodernism, Social Media celebrate the expression of individuality, consumption, and constant communication.
Sherry Turkle, author of Life on the Screen, creates a strong parallel between identity and connection, and how they affect our relationships in a postmodern world as social media continues its ascent to complete domination. Turkle states, Meanwhile, social beings that we are, we are trying (as Marshall McLuhan said) to retribalize. And the computer is playing a central role (Turkle,178). Many of us have become accustomed to seeking new relationship through social media and why not? It makes complete sense. For those of us attached to our smart phones we "upload" our personalities, tastes and desires online for the world, or if you are set to private mode, our community of loved ones to see. We have the opportunity to pioneer through different platforms and reach women and men from all over who we find interesting and seduce them through images and clever posts to be our friends. Turkle also questions, What will computer-mediated communication do to our commitment to other people (Turkle,178)? This question carries a lot weight in terms of branding, because at this point we are our own brand. Certain companies look into your social media accounts to find how you represent yourself. Not only this but the level to which we communicate shatters the closed walls around us, we are all officially connected, I can find anyone, they can find me and so how do we maintain our commitment to the relationships we build? Do we have an obligation? Do you have the right to know both how a person identifies as a brand and as a person? We have to agree to Ritzer's comment, It is a world in which there is rarely, if ever, an answer, a conclusion, a finished product, a truth( Ritzer). There is no stopping for an identity on the Internet is is interpreted in many ways because it reaches various people with varying experiences. Truth on the internet is relative.
This is Lee Tilghman or also known as LeeFromAmerica. She is a food stylist, recipe developer, and overall foodie. When I thought about the connection between identity and relationships I thought immediately of Lee. As social media continues to break down barriers; Lee has developed a powerful and recognizable voice in the health and wellness area. She shares her experiences, recipes, and her recent PCOS diagnose with her community and those who are willing to listen. As the social media community we know Lee as LeeFromAmerica her brand as a health foodie, but do we know the truth about her? We know what she shares, and that can be quite intimate. She has been incredibly committed to her relationship with her supporters, she sends hearts, messages, and thank you in personal messages, responds to questions on her instastories and attends events that creates a space of friendship for her supporters. LeefromAmerica is Lee's business, her passion, and her skills but it is not Lee entirely...her entire truth. To those of us who support Lee can recognize her embodiment of Postmodernism, she thrives on rebelling against the food system, infuses her quirks in every piece she writes on her blog and is constantly connected. What's important is the authenticity of LeefromAmerica as an identity and how she uses this to challenge social norms.
Works Cited:
Turkle, Sherry, “Aspects of the Self” Chapter 7. Life on the Screen, Simon and Schuster, New York, NY, 1997.
Ritzer, George. "The Internet Through a Postmodern Lens." Cyborgology. The Society Pages, 08 Dec. 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2017. <https://thesocietypages.org/cyborgology/2012/11/19/the-internet-through-a-postmodern-lens/>.
Tilghman, Lee. "About." Lee Tilghman. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2017. <http://www.leefromamerica.com/about/>.
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