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Intelligence Squared

Me, My Selfie and I: Self-Expression in the Digital Age

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.21.1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 November 2017

⏱️ 60 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We are living in the age of selfie mania. Everyone from the Pope to Obama has appeared in one. In the past, only a handful of people were able to propagate their own images, whether it was artists like Rembrandt or Van Gogh painting self-portraits, society beauties commissioning fashionable artists to create a flattering likeness of themselves to be admired by a select few. But now, the smartphone has democratised visual self-expression. The instant transferability of photos to social media and imaging apps at our disposal allow us all to constantly ‘curate’ our look and present ourselves as we want the world to see us, recording ourselves day by day. But what effect is this cultural addiction having on us? Do we look out at our exciting world as observers full of curiosity, or do we simply wonder how we look in it, and what filter would work best? Has the selfie reduced life to a popularity contest governed by likes, Instagram followers and Facebook friends? How do we deal with the increasing social pressure to constantly post images of an impossibly perfect self? in July 2017, Huawei and the Saatchi Gallery brought together a panel from the worlds of cultural criticism, social media and neuroscience to discuss the impact of selfie culture from a multitude of perspectives. The event was hosted at the Saatchi Gallery, where the exhibition ‘From Selfie to Self-Expression’, presented by Huawei was on display. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

So you've arrived you head to the brasserie then the terrace cocktail don't mind if I do

0:08.5

You raise your glass to another guest because you both know the holidays just beginning.

0:14.0

And you're only in Terminal 3.

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where you'll feel like you've arrived before you've taken off.

0:26.0

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Whether it's an under the radar genre or a proper out there podcast, sometimes it's better when you get weird, especially when it comes to switching up your soft drink, introducing new Dr Pepper Zero

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but with zero sugar and zero calories.

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It's a taste you can't quite put your finger on.

0:54.0

Weird. But in a surprisingly good way, try more weird with Dr Pepper Zero.

1:00.0

Welcome to the Intelligence Squared Podcast. This week's episode comes from our recent event at the Saatchi Gallery,

1:05.6

Me Myselfian I, self-expression in the digital age.

1:09.0

A panel from the worlds of cultural criticism, social media and neuroscience came together to discuss the wide-reaching impact of selfie culture on the world today.

1:18.0

This event was produced in partnership with the Saatchi Gallery and Huawei.

1:21.0

We hope you enjoy listening.

1:23.0

Thank you ever so much. I'm really delighted to be your host this evening. I'm a broadcaster and journalist and what

1:33.9

fascinating times we live in. As we've just heard, self-portraiture is nothing new,

1:39.5

nor is the self-obsession that we see today. In fact, anthropologists argue that that is a critical

1:46.2

element of human development and human evolution. Nevertheless, in recent years and at Breakneck Speed, we've seen this twin developments, the

1:55.9

smartphone and social media, and together they've created an extraordinary cultural phenomenon, the selfie, and whether we like it or not, it is changing

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