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

Expand full comment

Here’s a snap of me reading this article.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
Jan 20, 2022·edited Jan 20, 2022

Anyone who admires cyclists has earned my lifelong esteem.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

“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?

Expand full comment

Terrific, thoughtful snapshot of our celebrity self-obsession.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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…

Expand full comment