Collective identity

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

Who are you- This section is about how we constructing our identity through social media such as things like fashion, cultural values etc, it talks about how we want to be seen.

I think therefore I am- there was a time we our identity was pre determined due to social culture, class, age, gender and religion. Now we are in a time period where more and more identities are socially acceptable and we have more freedom.

The rise of the individual- identities became more of an individual factor rather than collective where people were able to form their own identities and uniqueness.

From citizen to consumer- This talks about how media and advertising has allowed for people to buy more of what they want and not what they need.

Branding and lifestyle- This links to the idea that branding and the brands you use and associate with play a role in forming your personality/identity.

Who will be?- A persons identity can be determined through their social media profile, this shows how they portray themselves publicly.

2) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity?

Apple

North Face

Nike

Sony

Canon

These brands may suggest that I am into technology and into sports clothing, it may suggest that I am young and/or middle class.
3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

In a way I do believe this because when someone represents themselves onto social media there is a level of how much choice and consideration goes in to someone's mind when publishing display pictures or images of themselves onto social media, also within what they tend to write or express on their page. Although if you do follow them and start "to get to know them" they're may be a different side to what they appear to be.

4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

'External superficial value exceeds all that is substantial under the veneer of glitter and pretty garlands of flowers.'

5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

I believe that there is a high level of deception that is going on with how people represent themselves on social media, many people think of it as social media is a different world to what they live in everyday but it inst, therefore they tend to have much different personalities online as oppose to real life. In terms of myself, I once removed all of my images from instagram as they were old and were much different to how i am now, they showed a much more different representation of me.

6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

I feel that is okay as its a good form of advertising, its advertising that may not waste our time and may actual be useful for us as it keeps us interested in new products that we may genuinely care about.