The INSPIRER The-INSPIRER-02 | Page 8

Pg. 8 THE SELFIE CRAZE Views & Thoughts from Readers By: Michelle Oduro Selifies- It’s the in-thing now. I am sure you probably took a selfie before reading this magazine today. Though our generation has been accused as overly using this medium, do you know that it originated as far back as 1839 and it was discovered  by Rober t Cornelius. One of the first people to take their own ‘selfies’ was the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nickolacvna of Russia . (So ladies we always dips on this thing eh). Selfies flourished even more in the 1970’s when affordable instant cameras birthed a new medium of self expression allowing  amateurs to learn photography with instant results and gratification. Time Magazine considered selfies as one of  top 10 buzzwords in 2012 and since then smart phone companies have made it more popular.  . This behavior can go to the extend of people neglecting to extend a helping hand to others in need or in danger all in the name of taking 'selfies' Attend any wedding, event or even church service and it's all about selfies. People are more focused on their image than anything else. To her, it is becoming a disease which must be eradicated  GIRLY BUT HELPS SELF ESTEEM This was a gentleman's view of course. To him, selfie is a girls thing but on the flip side, it is cool and useful for boosting your self-esteem and promotes healthy competition among phone and camera producers Although selfies are quite popular now, there are some associated negative publicity around the concept. In April 2014 for example, a CONCLUSION man diagnosed with body dismorphic All in all, 'Selfies' is the thing disorder attempted suicide after of the day. Everyone takes spending 10 hours a day attempting 'selfies' now even to take the 'perfect' selfie' and failing. grandparents. But don't let it take over your life for sure. So is it good or bad? We asked our  It can be a healthy activity if readers done moderately with wisdom and at the right PROMOTE SELFISHNESS time. And personally I To this reader, 'selfies' has made our admit, it's kind of fun. society more selfish and encourages narcisstic behavior.