Apparently, “we now expect everyone to take photographs all the time” Really? Dom Knight in his article ‘I Hate Instragram’ seems to think so.

I guess that means, I am not like everyone else.

I admit, as Knight points out, the one billion dollars paid by Facebook to Instragram suggests snapping photos on   smart phones is incredibly popular. Nevertheless, I question Knight’s combination of personal language and  hyperbole.

Who is the we Knight refers to? Does everyone take photos all the time?

Clearly I sit in isolation, because, as much as I enjoy using my camera to record special moments, I do not feel compelled to turn  paparazzi at the drop of a hat, tissue or yawn… Obviously I am not part of the ‘everyone’ group – I am not part of the cool, hip, or ‘in’ crowd (perhaps I am showing my age).

Maybe, if I was less confident in myself, I would be compelled to grab my phone and snap the dog before a wave of outcast fear overwhelmed me. Thankfully, I don’t. Instead I chuckle, shake my head and reach for my computer. I am grateful to be an individual who chooses her own ‘all the time’ actions.

Articles such as Knight’s fuel my quest to share the power of critical literacy. I believe (and here it is important to note the use of the word ‘I’ and think carefully about its use) critical literacy promotes self esteem. As a critically literate person, I can read an article such as the one written by Knight and rather than feeling deficient for not following ‘everyone’ behavioural patterns, I recognise the use of persuasive language, appreciate the humour, and feel content.

Again, consider my use of language; the word ‘content’ is used deliberately. Hopefully you can predict why. I use the word content to demonstrate a lack of aggression hurled toward another person’s opinion. I feel content to be an individual, I feel content to read opinions different to mine. I do not feel the need to debase another to argue my case. True, I may look for inconsistent argument, I may question use of language, but I am content to live with a difference of opinion. I attribute this to a strong sense of who I am. Critical literacy gives me this self confidence.

You may be wondering how critical literacy links to self esteem. Put simply it allows me to read past marketing hype and journalistic hyperbole. Therefore, I rarely absorb the ideas thrust upon me by the media; I don’t believe everything I read.

So no I don’t think everyone takes photos all the time.

What do you think?