42 Comments

I am late...but, I have never owned a cell phone with a camera and never taken a selfie...lol..I am pretty odd I guess...lol

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Here’s a snap of me reading this article.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Thanks for that Matt. I was not sure if it was just me. Unfortunately, I think its just another method of keeping up with Jones. You, over there look at and admire my fabulous life. ;-) You did force me to look up Fish gape and Squinching which lead to this awesomely funny youtube video on how to Squinch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff7nltdBCHs&t=160s

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"did it even really happen?" how often I've queried myself that since 1/20/21. Your answer re subscribing was reassuring. Enjoying Keillor.

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I too like "Bicycles on Sunday". I see open space. I see no fences. I see freedom from responsibility. I see adventure and hope.

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author

Glad you said it so I didn't have to.

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I am an artist. I taught photography for several years (as well as doing professional photography). This was back when photography required a darkroom.

Non-ID (i.e. Driver's license or work ID) photos of myself in my possession? Zero. My wife has some wedding photos which I had to actually be in. Could not get out of that one, for some reason ;)

I do not labor under the illusion that I am somehow important and that i am doing things worth recording for posterity... nor do I need to some prove my existence or presence or importance through a photo.

Photos are kind of like profanity--in that the more you have (or the more you use it) the less powerful they are.

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Jan 20, 2022·edited Jan 20, 2022

Anyone who admires cyclists has earned my lifelong esteem.

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Unlike most people my age, I hate pictures of myself and prefer pictures without people. I’ve occasionally, very reluctantly, taken a selfie, but it’s uncomfortable. Most of my phone is filled with pictures of trees and rocks and mountains and snow, not people. The selfie and selfie stick are contributing to the rise in narcissism in America today.

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I have the good fortune to walk to and from work across the Brooklyn Bridge (America's 2nd most beautiful bridge!) 5 days a week, and at least in the afternoon it's packed with people taking selfies. I always think, "look around, the best thing you can think to take a photo of is yourself? Show some imagination".

Then again, I'm an aspiring curmudgeon, or maybe a misanthrope.

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Most of my I-Phone pic’s are of things , wildlife and other people. Does that count#?

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As one to have never taken a selfie or been part of a selfie crowd selfie, I can not for the life of me understand the novelty. I am a 58 year old curmudgeon that is above average in wireless tech, still unless you are taking a selfie for posterity while plummeting towards your death from a bridge, building or cliff. Just look in the mirror

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I took a selfie once. I found the delete button immediately. Not art!

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“and as it began sinking, nose-down, threatening to plunge her into a watery grave, she stood nonchalantly on the rear windshield, lifted her smart phone, and appeared to take a selfie.”

This is not a hard one: It was for the insurance! Proof of loss. And I can’t see why she should get a citation. Here in AZ we have monsoons, and drivers ignore warning signs and get caught in flash floods. I haven’t heard of them being cited. The live ones, I mean.

As for the bicycles, I don’t see so good anymore, but it sure looks to me like the riders all have fishing poles strapped to their bikes. That wouldn’t have anything to do with your liking the photo, right?

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Terrific, thoughtful snapshot of our celebrity self-obsession.

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I heard selfies being called "killfies" especially at Grand Canyon.

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Your paywall actually just caused me to walk away. I can’t subscribe to everyone and I feel it’s a bait and switch to send me paywalled pieces when I specifically didn’t subscribe to them.

It’s getting frustrating. I’m a social worker who can’t pay for 10-20 yearly substack scripts. I know I’m signing up for free but then you act like that’s something I should be ‘hurt’ for. Just getting tired…

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author

I hear you, Laury. Everybody's banging the tin cup nowadays. Stay a free reader with a clean conscience. It's that simple. It doesn't have to be so frustrating. I'd rather you stay an effective social worker - we need the help! - then go to the poorhouse subscribing to 20 Substacks. Though if you want me to tell you who you should cut, I can do that, too.

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