NARCISSISM AND SOCIALMEDIA VOL30
It's funny how when we see someone recording themselves in public, talking to their phone and exaggerating gestures, we feel a strong sense of secondhand embarrassment, yet that same video seems much more normal when we see it on social media. It might still make us cringe, but we process it differently. The key difference is that in real life, we don’t just feel discomfort—we perceive the person as ridiculous, out of place. On social media, even if they still seem absurd, the format smooths out that awkwardness and makes it easier to digest.
Editing, music, and dynamic cuts help frame the content in a way that fits the kind of media we consume daily, but if someone seems ridiculous, they’ll remain so, with or without filters.
Another factor is the break in reality. Watching someone film themselves strips away the illusion, like seeing a magician set up a trick before performing it. Then there’s the difference between witnessing something and being an audience—on the street, we feel like unwilling participants in something we didn’t choose to watch, whereas on social media, we’re already in consumer mode, so even if something makes us uncomfortable, it doesn’t trigger the same rejection.
Social dynamics also play a role. When we see someone recording in public, we share the secondhand embarrassment through glances or comments with whoever is next to us. But online, there's no external reinforcement, and we process it in a completely different way.
Today's slow-motion moment.
WHITE ARTDo you ever feel like you just don’t get art? You’re not alone. A lot of people see it as something complicated, full of interpretations that seem to come out of nowhere.
The truth is, art doesn’t have a single way of being understood. There’s no right answer, and many so-called experts are just repeating what they’ve heard or trying to sound sophisticated—but deep down, they’re just as lost as you.
Art is subjective. Sometimes it hits you, sometimes it leaves you cold, and that’s okay. You don’t have to understand it the way others explain it. If something catches your eye, makes you feel something, or just intrigues you, that’s your connection to art, and it’s just as valid as anyone else’s.
That being said, here we have a guy covering himself in white paint—or some kind of plaster, I don’t even know—and leaving marks on the floor. Is it art? Well, if they say so, sure. But I’m sharing it with you for another reason: watch how a woman from the audience seizes the moment to cop a feel—gloves and all. Honestly, the second video got to me more than the first. The first one is just for context.
Now, if I stick to what I said earlier… does that make the second video art? Well, by that logic, yes—it is.
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I saw fear in his eyes.
THE TAKEOFF OF DRONES IN A SHOW IN CHINA IS ALREADY A SPECTACLE IN ITSELFIn Europe, where we pride ourselves on being the most "progressive" on the planet, every year there's a debate about banning fireworks because poor little dogs suffer. As a solution, drone and light shows are often suggested, but can we really pull it off? Well, if we want to try, it's best to ask the Chinese for advice—after all, they’re living in 2125. This video is a great example of that.
I have no idea how many drones are taking off, but it could easily be thousands. And once they're all in the air, the result is breathtaking. It's mesmerizing to watch but also a little unsettling.
Now, give it all a military twist. Equip each of them with an explosive charge. Program them with AI-controlled microchips, each assigned to a human target. This could be the new "sound of future war," and these images serve as a warning about the dangers of China's drone expertise.
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Today's slow-motion shot.
THE ACCIDENT-PRONE UBER RIDERAn Uber delivery rider on a bike is harassed by a moving car that eventually pushes him off, sending him tumbling down a hill. The video’s comments section lights up immediately:
- That’s not funny.
- Bro, this isn’t funny. He’s just doing his job on a bike.
- Attempted murder.
- Dude, are you okay?
- The driver deserves a beating if this is real.
Then you click on the Instagram account where the video is posted, and surprise! It’s the delivery guy’s own profile. Here’s the plot twist: his page is full of similar videos. People sticking objects in his wheels, shoving him, him falling down stairs with his bike, or throwing food bags directly at customers’ faces. It’s all clearly staged to go viral.
The real issue isn’t whether this Uber delivery rider is right or wrong for creating this type of content. The real problem is the flood of people rushing to comment without a shred of common sense. I mean, I get it: you’re scrolling through Instagram, a video like this pops up, and at first glance, you think it’s real. But rushing to comment? Do you seriously feel this overwhelming need to chime in and end up looking like a fool?
I don’t know—maybe just keep it to yourself. At least that way, no one will know how gullible you are.
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Today’s slow-motion highlight.
THE ATTRACTION TO PLUSH TOYSThe attraction to plush toys is deeply connected to emotions and personal experiences. For many, they symbolize a link to childhood, happy moments, and a sense of security. Their soft texture and adorable appearance provide comfort and stress relief, and in some cases, they serve as emotional objects that help cope with loneliness or anxiety. Others collect them for their symbolism, aesthetic appeal, or the memories they evoke.
The anthropomorphic design of plush toys, with their expressive eyes and cute features, naturally creates emotional bonds. In more specific cases, when they become a fetish, they blend innocence, comfort, and fantasy, often tied to unique personal experiences.
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It’s never too late to take an interest in the world of fashion.