I had previously talked to Julie, my roommate, about this interview that I needed her to do for me so we were able to just get into the interview.
Me: Alright J, lets talk about social media.
Julie: Ok, what about?
Me: Tell me why you're so involved on social media and what websites do you keep up with?
Julie: I have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and I have Yik Yak but I'm not that active on it.
Me: Why do you have all of these apps?
Julie: Because everyone else does and it's a way to stay connected to everyone.
Me: Why do you feel the need to stay connected to everyone? Can't you just text people? Why do you need all of these apps?
Julie: I want to stay connected. I like knowing what people are talking about and it helps me stay involved in conversation. It's honestly essential for conversation these days. People will ask if I saw something on Facebook or Instagram and if I say that I didn't or if I wasn't able to actually look it up that moment the conversation dies out. Not only am I able to keep up my relationships at Emory but I also am able to see what my home friends are doing and what celebrities are up to. One time I found out that my home friend recently lost a parent because she posted a picture on Instagram. That's obviously something that I want to know just so I don't bring it up and so I could send her flowers. I guess I don't NEED the apps but I really want them and especially for me, because I don't try to ask people about information and I like to find them out online. Also, Facebook has interesting articles shared by my friends or upcoming events that I can go to. That's important to me because I would never want to miss my friend's surprise party or something like that.
Me: That was very helpful. Thank you. Ok so now lets talk about the things that go through your mind when you post something and why are you posting? (Pause) Julie....hello...why are you posting pics?!
Julie: Oh sorry, I didn't know you were done with your question. (We laughed a little because she's just slow like that and we got into a more comical conversation). Well Areeta, I don't know if you know this but I'm super good looking and posting a picture of me is a gift from me to you.
Me: Julie. Seriously. This is a school project.
Julie: Okaaayy. So I post pictures on social media because (she paused because I she was really trying to think about her response before saying it) it is a way for others to see what I'm up to also. Sometimes I just like the pictures that I put up, sometimes it's to show an achievement that I have had...like graduation. For Instagram, it's for me to share pictures that recently happened to me. It's like a photo album but better because you get to share it and get some likes.
Me: So what goes through your head when you post a picture? I have Instagram and I'm your roommate so I know picking a filter, caption, and figuring out what time is "optimal like time" takes some effort.
Julie: Well, lets break it down to pre-thoughts, editing thoughts and post-thoughts.
Me: Ah alright. Break it down.
Julie: My pre-thoughts go something like this..
1. Is this Insta-worthy? 2. Will it get a lot of likes? 3. Wait, let me group chat my friends and double check. 4. Is my crush looking? 5. Do I care? 6. Will this make me gain or lose followers? 7. Is geo-tagging the location too much or just enough?
My Editing Thoughts:
1. Does this filter make me look tan? 2. Or fat? 3. Or pale? 4. Does it look edited? If it looks like it’s been retouched, that’s just social suicide. 5. Hmm, I can’t decide… let me screen shot every option and send them to my seven closest friends 6. Sh*t, everyone has a different opinion, now what? 7. Does that mean I shouldn’t post it? 8. Do I actually look good? 9. Would guys think I look good or is this outfit too trendy? 10. Does it look like I’m trying too hard… because I am trying way too hard? 11. Whatever, I'm just going to do it.
My Post-Thoughts:
1. My like-to-minute ratio is terrible. 2. Should I delete it? 3. WTF? How’d that person like that in two seconds? 4. Why are you liking my picture if you don’t acknowledge my presence in public? 5. No, seriously, why? 6. Who is this person liking my picture, and why is he private? 7. YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO HIDE! 8. Have too many people seen it already to get away with shadily deleting it? 9. Why is this person not liking my Insta? 10. Should I unfollow her? 11. Where are my friends? 12. Why aren’t they liking this as soon as it’s up? 13. What horrible friends, I hate them all. 14. Oh wait, they just liked it.
Me: Julie, wow, those are a lot of thoughts but I can honestly say a lot of those thoughts go through my head too. I agree with you and now that we are talking about this and I wrote everything you just said, lets look at it.
Julie: Why? Did I say something wrong?
Me: Absolutely not but just look at it. Look at how crazy we sound for thinking so much into one picture...and we do this like 3-4 times in a week.
Julie: Yeah I know. But I don't think it's completely insane because we aren't the only ones that do that.
Me: What do you think about other people? I'm sure people get really affected by having not enough likes or a mean comment. Is that what society has come to?
Julie: Yes. Obviously we all know people that take social media too seriously but it's inevitable. There will always be someone that says something whether it's a comment or in person.
Me: I guess that's true. By the way what was your last Instagram?
Julie: Honestly, I did it for the likes. I knew that a picture of me and my brother would get my home friends, and his friends to like the picture AND it was at Emory so my Emory friends would like the picture. Safe to say, it did well. Me: Well thank you for this interview. It was very helpful. See you back in the room. Love you.