Doing it for the ‘gram?

Nana Serwaa Quarshie
Nov 2 · 3 min read

Compared to previous decades in which various forms of media were used to collect memories that were kept as family heirlooms and looked at only when people came to visit, social media in the 21st century has given us the opportunity to peer into other people’s lives across worlds and societies without knowing them, or even being their friends.

Lately, I’ve come across a lot of criticisms against millennials for using their phones and social media during important moments instead of “living in the moment.” Critics say that young people no longer do things genuinely because they want to do them, rather, they do things because if they post it on social media, it will give them “cool points”. This is all fair and valid, however, in all these conversations I realize people fail to recognize the value of making and keeping tangible evidence of your memories. Our ability to record, capture, and edit moments is a huge privilege and blessing as citizens of the 21st century. It allows our stories to be heard from our perspectives, for history to no longer be tainted and skewed, heard from a singular voice. Instead, it is more inclusive, spanning across people of different races, continents and backgrounds. It is a gift that we are lucky to pass on to our progeny. Our great grandchildren no longer have to wonder how we lived the way I wonder how my great grandmother (whom I was named after) and ancestors lived. They will be rooted in a firm sense of identity, because they can see our values, our beliefs, our struggles and how we overcame them (that is, if climate change doesn’t kill us all, haha). There will be a wealth of information at their disposal.

The rise of influencer culture on social media means people who look cooler or do cooler things — whatever your interpretation of cool may be because we all think different things are cool — are given more attention and more opportunities to earn more money, simply by virtue of their large following. Though this might seem a bit superficial to self righteous individuals, the concept of being awarded simply because you are “cool” is not a recent phenomenon. Influencer culture seems to be a main proponent of “doing it for the gram” and it is, to a large extent. Seeing your favorite influencer travel across the world posting pictures sipping Mai Tai’s by a picturesque coast whilst you sit behind your desk (excessively cold or warm depending on your climate and the vindictiveness of your workplace) in your office replying emails from your annoying boss is definitely going to awaken the green envious monster in you. Nevertheless, I genuinely believe that although influencer culture might be responsible for a lot of social anxieties, it has also opened the doors for many different kinds of people to aspire for more out of their lives and experiences. Influencers share their experiences when they travel, and not only does this provide a good avenue to obtain reviews for future references, it enables individuals open their minds to travel, making the world smaller and promoting globalization by allowing people who can afford it (hopefully it becomes more accessible) to healthily share previously unknown cultures and practices.

As much as baby boomers and their counterparts would like to write this generation off as facetious because they do not limit themselves to a rudimentary way of creating experiences, it would be wonderful if they could just accept that this is a different time, with a completely different perspective and different mindsets.


Nana Serwaa Quarshie

Twitter: @nsq006

I talk and think a lot, so I decided to put it into writing. Rapidly transitioning into a doer, watch this space.

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