Previous to Facebook being open to non-university networks I was a freshman in college. I was experiencing the nightlife where by default the nights came equipped with girls and cameras whose pictures would later be uploaded to their Facebook photo albums where they would tag the people they had shot pictures of. Those pictures represented a part of me that may have depicted the party-goer. But my Facebook profile was not only pictures of my college nightlife. I also had information about my interests, music preferences, favorite movies, and sports. Although I had taken the time to write out all my information and interests, the pictures spoke louder than my words did and I was soon labeled as someone that was not entirely me. Similar to my experience with facebook and first impressions is our class’ second portfolio assignment.
I was scanning through my friends on Facebook and filtering people I knew in order to choose someone for my assignment. I chose Ben Crawford because he is someone I do not know very well. I chose him because I could stereotype him based on his movies and music, religious preference, sporting activities, location, and the way he depicts himself in his profile pictures.
Based on my analysis Ben’s profile gives the impression that he is a spiritual thrill seeker who is adrenaline addicted. It seems he wants us to believe that he is an adolescent that pursued his love for living in the moment to Queenstown, New Zealand.
Ben wants us to believe that he a highly spiritual person but not involved in organized religion because of his religious status in his profile that says "GOD is too big for religion." Ben wants us to believe that he does not believe that faith can be based in a floor-plant and focuses his spirituality elsewhere, like perhaps his involvement with sports and his friends and their shared experiences. Ben states he resides in New Zealand where varied sporting activities range from snowboarding to surfing. These activities fit Ben's stereotypical setting for his preferences, although he used to reside in Aiken, his sporting preferences include: "Exploring, Dirt Biking, Snowboarding, Guitar, Car Racing, and Fishing.” The fact that he states he now lives in New Zealand and does all these activities leads me to believe that he is on a journey from Aiken in the pursuit to seize the moment where he now lives. Ben seems to be a well rounded character that is spiritually grounded and remains active and participating in a variety of fun sporting and extreme events while in Queenstown.
Ben also states he is self employed but I believe the comment posted is meant to be a joke because it makes reference to Ben being a bonified pimp. The post reads:
"Employers: Self/ Big Mac Daddy Pimp/U know baby, just pimpen dem hoes from time to time. Tryen to finance my fur coat, gucci glasses, diamond rings and the pimp mobile."
Although there may be pimps in New Zealand, I do not believe Ben's profile is stereotypical of what a pimp's profile would look like-- or read. The post does, however depict Ben as a charismatic and a comedic person. His music interests include "Michael Franti, Jack Johnson, RJD2, and Pink Floyd." These bands’ music genres include reggae, electronic, and classic rock. His selection in music imply that he likes psychedelic music, is probably very easy going, and likes to a variety of music. Pink Floyd is known for their psychedelic music, minor tonality and extensive synthesizing to bring an out of body or surreal experience emphasizing Ben’s spiritual side. Michael Franti and Jack Johnson are both down- tempo easy listening artists and remind me of the beach and relaxing. RJD2 is a successful producer that mixes tracks for dancing and has roots in hip hop which would lead me to believe Ben also has a more excited party personality. His favorite movies include "Cheech and Chong, White Castle, Half Baked, and Euro Trip." Ben's movie selection leads me to believe that he likes comedies and is probably a funny and/or comedic character. Ben is also trying to say that his movie inclination is toward marijuana themed comedies.
Some of Ben's profile pictures show him on the top of a mountain. One of the pictures shows Ben at the top of a mountain with the sun shining on a river in the background casting a partial silhouette of Ben with his arms out and reminded me of a Christ like pose which would emphasizes his religious views. The pose in the picture may also be interpreted as Ben holding his arms out showing where he is living, implying he is on the top of the world. Another picture shows Ben in costume holding a fake handgun , wearing revo sunglasses, wearing a fedora hat, and throwing up one hand in a “w” which is representative of the west side of town also used by gang members. Ben seems to be satirizing the image of a pimp. The picture is funny and relates to his self employment post which makes reference to him being a pimp. The way Ben is dressed for the picture shows how he wants to demonstrate his sense of humor, fun personality, and ambiguous identity. Other pictures posted by Ben show him skydiving, snowboarding, sitting outdoors, dirt biking, and with friends. Ben wants his profile pictures to show that he who loves outdoor activities but enjoys them more so with good people.
All in all, Ben wants his identity on Facebook to represent an extreme, sporting, fun loving, spiritual, and friendship oriented person who enjoys comedies and music. Ben seems to love everything about the life he is living due to his carpe diem approach to living life to the fullest.
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