"For kids today, you are what you like," states author Doug Rushkoff in the Generation Like documentary featured on PBS Frontline. In today's age of digital and social media, is it truly "you are what you like" on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or even Youtube? Or does that make you a canny or stealth marketer according to Moira Lavelle in her contemplative article.
In the documentary, Rushkoff explores the correlation between the cultural phenomenon, that is our current generation of "likes" and happiness. Do teens really feel empowered when using social media? Do they feel the same way months later? Personally, I feel vindicated and a sense of validation from my peers whenever people "like" my posts on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. However, I feel emotionally drained when I use Facebook for hours as I scroll through pictures of people having fun and going on luxurious vacations. I interviewed one of my peers about her thoughts on getting "likes" on Facebook. Below is the short video segment of the informal interview:
According to a blog post by Walter Michka, we get off on "likes" on Facebook as the brain triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical that gives us pleasure. I've definitely experienced a pleasurable "buzz" or "high" when receiving "likes" on my Facebook status or display pictures. The Generation Like documentary refers to likes, followers, retweets and friends as social currency - the higher the likes, the better you feel. I find this definition apt and appropriate in accordance to our generation.
Nevertheless, while receiving "likes" in the form of social validation and approval feels great, it is not necessarily healthy as demonstrated by the example of Essena O' Neill in my blog post prior this. Generation Like ends on a disturbing note in which Daniela Diaz, a popular Instagrammer, says "[If] I'll get a couple of likes, I'll get a couple of views, I'll be happy with myself." I have to ask myself this thought-provoking question: Will this brief moment of pleasure bring permanent joy to her in the future?
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