Our Virtual Self

Just to clarify, “bi-polar”, while superficially could be the right word to express the OP’s point, bi-polar disorder specifically is NOT a split personality or multiple personality disorder. I’m sure it wasn’t intended to mean “bi-polar disorder” but that’s what some people will take away from it regardless. I only point this out because it’s a disorder that’s widely misunderstood, and I can see the way “bi-polar” is used in this bitch confusing people.

I understand the point being made, but I find the “physical self/digital self” theory being attributed to more people than it actually applies to, or at least more severely attributed to people than is realistic (Most people do not tweet every time they go to the toilet). In general, people who are so engrossed in social networking that they neglect to take care of and wash themselves are a minority, a minority that may have serious pre-existing health or emotional problems. The average person who uses social networking isn’t like this person. Most people use social networking, and most people aren’t neglecting their hygiene etc.

What does needing glasses and skin colour have to do with any of this? The majority of people who wear glasses wear them because of problems that have nothing to do with how often they watch television or use the computer, genetics, diseases, trauma. Don’t overestimate the evidence for vision damage due to eyestrain. There’s no conclusive evidence to support the claim that television or computer screens are significantly damaging peoples’ eyesight. At most optometrists have said that looking at a screen a lot might make you slightly more nearsighted over a long time, but this hasn’t been proven yet as far as I know. Most will advise cutting back on screen use just to be on the safe side until more conclusive evidence is acquired.

Also, skin colour is based on the geographic location of ancestors and the genes inherited from them, not on how much time someone spends indoors. People who are already light skinned can tan, but someone who is already darker skinned will not become paler from lack of sun exposure. Your skin doesn’t change all that much or even permanently in one lifetime because of exposure to sunlight or lack thereof. You can’t determine how much time someone spends indoors based on their skin colour, especially since we have, sunscreen, hats, clothing, shade, and tanning booths…

As for someones weight, while there’s a clear link between inactivity and weight-gain, keep in mind that it’s by no means the only factor. Diet, pre-existing health concerns, genetics, and upbringing all contribute.

Maybe I’m being picky. Generalizations can be helpful in some cases, but not when they imply things that just simply aren’t true.

Plus this bitch ignores the positive outcomes and benefits gained by social networking and other media, but I can forgive that, because it’s not a bitch if it doesn’t have a clearly defined opinion. Just keep in mind that it’s not all bad and that OP is talking about an extreme that is not very common.

I’ll take this bitch as an exaggeration to make a broader point.