The Happiness of Virtual World (Part-2)

In this virtual world it's not enough to present your life as a series of beautiful images first you have to pique the interest of others

when you post a photo that took you a long time to frame to find the right filter and create a caption with different hashtags you expect people who see it to like it or leave a comment having comments under your posts is the most important thing

The founders of social networks have come up with a game changer the like button they all have their own version the thumb for Facebook and the hearts for Instagram and tick tock

today our entire lives are subject to the judgment of our virtual friends that's nice we need to be reassured that we are loved that we are recognized that we are seen that we exist social media allows us to fulfill those needs it's a revolution

the desire to be seen to be recognized to be loved that's where we go to look for it now in the past I would have to reach out to others for approval to seek confirmation that I am worthy that

I am someone today it's enough to post a few photos to get that reassurance giving meaning to one's life through the approval of others is not just good for the ego the like also triggers a physiological response in us liking triggers certain parts of the brain in particular

Those involved in the neural circuit related to feelings of reward that same structure plays a key role in addiction

it's mainly energetic dopamine neurons that can be found in a fairly remote part of the brain and the more you release the more pleasure you feel so being on social media knowing that someone likes our pictures or even liking other people's pictures activates

The pleasure centers and gives us pleasure so understandably it makes you want to go back and repeat this behavior to secure their popularity and in turn happiness users must glorify their lives even if it means putting everything on display

Gone are the days of just taking a touristy photo in front of the Eiffel tower on social media any dull moment can be turned into something that represents a whole way of life a pose on a bench becomes a moment of euphoria an ordinary pastry appears like a masterpiece

Anyone can transform their reality to fit their dreams all you need is the right frame the right filter and the right caption

All these tricks have only one goal to display absolute happiness my name is Marie I’m 22 years old and I have 4 922 followers on Instagram

I tend to post mostly fashion beauty and lifestyle photos I like to post a little bit of everything showing a bit of my world

So you can see a lot of me on social media it's not just photos of my food or nails I’ll post all kinds of stuff but mostly about myself to gain new followers

Marie transforms she shows a very specific side of herself she plays a role when I’m getting ready for a nice photo

I’ll usually take a good hour to put on my makeup is my passion but I also have to wear it for work

I change my look every day and I never wear the same look twice on social media everyone can invent a new image for themselves create a mask play a role and work on perfecting it day by day

I don't want to disappoint people I don't want my followers or the people I meet to be disappointed in me that scares me in three years

Marie’s new version of herself has attracted nearly 5 000 followers the philosophy the philosophy inherent in social media revolves around an ideal of success and representation

We gradually find ourselves in a war of clones where everyone is competing against each other the development of tools such as

The famous like button means that we are not necessarily trying to share but rather to shine in this culture of glossiness which some call self-branding everyone becomes their own brand in order to exist in the eyes of others.

To Be Continued....