Who I Think Ben Is

Before the “no networks” took over facebook I was a freshman in college and was experiencing the nightlife where by default the nights came equipped with girls and cameras whose pictures would later be uploaded to their profiles who would then tag the people they had shot pictures of. Those pictures represented a part of me that may have depicted the party goer. But my 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 interest the pictures spoke louder than my words and I was soon labeled. Similar to my experience with facebook and first impressions and stereotyping is the second portfolio assignment.
For our second portfolio assignment were supposed to choose a "friend of a friend" on facebook, MySpace or a blog that represented them in an intentional stereotypical way. I was scanning through my friends and filtering the ones I knew and did not know. I chose Ben Crawford because it is someone I do not know very well personally and someone I could stereotype based on his movies and music, religious preference, sporting activities, location, and the way he depicts himself in his profile pictures.
At first glance Ben’s profile gives the impression that he is a spiritual thrill seeker who is adrenaline addicted and an adolescent that pursued his love for living I the moment to Queenstown, New Zealand.
Ben seems to be a highly spiritual person but not involved in organized religion, Ben would rather take a carpe diem approach to his lifestyle that parallels his spiritual pursuits. Ben states, "GOD is too big for religion" in his “religious views.” This leads me to believe that Ben 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 resides New Zealand where varied sporting activities range from snowboarding to surfing fitting 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 now lives in New Zealand and does all these activities leads me to believe that he is on a pilgrimage 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 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 leads me to believe that he likes psychedelic music, is probably very easy going, but likes to have a good time. 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. I also relate those movies and the people who watch them as fun loving, charismatic, and easy going people who tend to hold liberal views.
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 the west side with his other hand. The picture is funny and relates to his self employment post which makes reference to him being a pimp. The dress of the picture demonstrates his sense of humor, fun personality, and ambiguous identity. Other pictures of Ben's show him skydiving, snowboarding, sitting outdoors, dirt biking, and with friends. Ben's profile pictures lead me to believe that he who loves the outdoor activities but enjoys them more so with good people in the best location for his interests.
All in all, Ben’s identity on facebook is one that represents an extreme sporting, fun loving, spiritual, and friendship oriented person who enjoys comedies and music that best express Ben's “favorite quotation”: “Love rules all.” Ben seems to love everything about the life he is living due to his carpe diem approach to living life to the fullest.