In a world where people only post about the happy things in their lives, others create a life for themselves thinking that others’ lives are better or more happening than theirs. But the question is, ‘Is the Instagram World even real?’

Picture Courtesy: Pixabay

FAKE VS. REALITY

The world of social media or as we call it the ‘influential world’ has a major impact on people’s lives these days. Influencers are well aware of their target audiences and they bring out the versions of themselves that people want to see. But what we actually see is the polished lives of celebrities or influencers on instagram.

They have created a fairytale world which is perfect and has an effect on young minds leading to mental health issues. The allured minds try and imitate these unattainable bodies and lifestyles which have been created by means of filters or fake editing.

But is the modification with the photos really that important? Nobody in this world is flawless or Nobody’s life is perfect. Everybody has bad days or bad photos which very few people are willing to share with the world.

HARSH TRUTH OF THE TRAVEL INFLUENCING

The point is comprehensible that people are on Instagram to show the best versions of themselves. Their lives while having a good time on a vacation with their friends. The world of travel influencers which they show on the platforms is unreal. They have struggles they deal with, while travelling, which are not portrayed to the real world. You might pick up on a restaurant by watching an influencer’s instagram story. But, after going there you realise it actually tastes like disappointment.

Picture Courtesy: Pinterest

After the rise of the pandemic, there is a relatively high explosion of people wanting to choose to be an ‘instagram influencer’ as their career path. But what they don’t realise is the harsh truths of invasion of their privacy in the world of fame.

The need to use social media to keep updated about what’s happening around the world is quite arguable. But the best way to use it positively would be not to obsess too much over these things and miss out on all the amazing things in life that are right in front of you!

– By Amisha Bhatia

Sorry, Digital Events Only:
Is This The New Normal?

Heading towards a virtual world where for the sake of convenience, we are locking ourselves in a room.

Digital Events Issues — Stock Image | Photo Courtesy: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Covid-19 has created problems in all of our lives and led towards digitalization, but should we allow it to change the way we socialize and interact permanently?

With Sundance Film Festival shifting its programming to a digital format, the end of coronavirus seems like a faraway dream. Months after announcing in-person screenings when things seemed normal, the Utah-based festival retracted due to the rising covid-19 cases. As a film lover, it is frustrating to transition from a theatre projection to a virtual event on a laptop screen.

Is this the future where digital events are the new ‘normal’ and are there any issues with going digital?

Sundance is one of the thousands of events affected by the pandemic, and small events with not enough resources, unfortunately, had to cancel their lineup. After this announcement, Michel Hazanavicius’ team pulled out Final Cut from the lineup. It indicates how uncomfortable filmmakers are currently with digital showcases due to piracy issues.

Sundance Film Festival Goes Virtual — Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theatre at Salt Late City, Utah, USA | Photo Courtesy: Sundance Film Festival

Are event organizers able to recreate a similar experience by shifting events online?

According to a survey from Bizzabo, there was a 26% increase in respondents commenting that the last virtual event they attended was not fun. People are experiencing ‘Zoom fatigue,’ a problematic state where the experience gets lost online. Even Hot Docs made changes to its plans and hosted its podcast festival online in January. However, they still have planned to go for a hybrid film festival for their audience. Bands and artists like Aerosmith, Elton John and Rage Against the Machine cancelled their shows instead of shifting it online. It is clear that artists want their audiences to enjoy the art in the way it was meant for consumption.

Aerosmith cancels events — Band Members of the Aerosmith | Photo Courtesy: Grammy Awards

Attending digital events from the comfort of homes is a privilege, but is this making you antisocial?

According to a report, people who are feeling antisocial are going out frequently. As a result, they are following fewer social distancing measures in public. Loneliness is making people withdraw from the activities that were of interest before. Narratives have become monotonous where every host opens with the line, “Are you able to see my screen?” Social distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of the virus. Shifting activities completely online would make you lose your audience.

How long do people need to wait and adjust to the virtual space?

People debate that the reason that the virus will stay around is that it is ‘best for business.’ Pharmaceutical companies have made billions by selling drugs and medicines. Most of these companies get research funding from the governments collected from the taxpayers. So where does this money go? Surely, the money is not re-invested to make a plan to end the virus but has funded bonuses of pharma executives, and marketing of the companies.

Governments should invest in technologies to live with the virus around. Solutions may include working on recycling indoor air to reduce transmission during events. By reducing barriers to entry in pharma, and encouraging alternate drugs we can develop more resistance towards the virus.

The benefits of the pandemic include conventional businesses rethinking their strategies to use digital space, but they cannot be a permanent alternative. Before the ‘digital’ events becomes the new normal, we hope to go back to the theatres and concert halls to enjoy events as we did before.

Coachella cancels events — Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival | Photo Credits: Pitchfork Media