Week 4, Column 4: SOAPSTone
To Thine Own Selfie Be True -- Literally
Speaker:
Meghan Daum. Equal parts reporter, storyteller, and satirist, Daum has been widely praised in the press and elicits particular enthusiasm from internet commentators. In her recent article, Daum shows her views on what she calls “a pernicious outgrowth of the era's unparalleled narcissism” know as selfie-mania, despite what the “intolerant” commentators have to say. |
Occasion:
December 12, 2013, posted on the LATimes website. The Larger occasion, as Daum mentions, is due to the word "selfie" being the Oxford English Dictionary's Word of the Year. The immediate occasion, however, is due to Daum’s belief that society’s self-obsession, while certainly notable, is being driven more by technology than a visceral shift in our cultural psyche. |
Audience:
Through Daum’s meticulous posting and copious word choice, it is easy to identify that the writing is aimed towards an uninformed audience, people who do not have all of the facts before them. This audience may well be open to Daum’s argument, particularly because it is easily comprehendible. |
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Purpose:
Meghan Daum’s purposes are never personal. Her purpose in this article is to inform the audience on this “selfie apocalypse” that we as Americans seem to be engrossed in. The author repeatedly mentions credible sources in her writing such as the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) to appeal to her audience’s ethos and carefully relay information to the audience without concern. Subject: The subject of Meghan Daum’s article is the reporter-deemed pernicious outgrowth of the era's unparalleled narcissism (a.k.a the selfie). Daum elaborates on the Oxford English Dictionary's acceptance of 'selfie,’ and how it is a sign of the apocalypse. Daum describes it as the ultimate enabler of hyperbole, and she notes how the word itself essentially cues the listener to stop listening. Tone: Daum displays a whimsical tone throughout her entire post. Through her tone, Daum relays the lack of staidness in the topic to the audience and clearly executes her argument while giving the impression that the whole subject is “a joke.” |
Highlight of the Week: Occasion
The larger and immediate occasions, the word "selfie" being the Oxford English Dictionary's Word of the Year and Daum’s belief that society’s self-obsession, while certainly notable, is being driven more by technology than a visceral shift in our cultural psyche, perfectly summarize the occasion. They are ultimately the reasons as to why Daum chose to write about the topic of 'selfies,' even though it is clear her of passion for the subject is little to none. Daum closes her argument with a plea to the audience stating, "The logic of "if you can't beat them, join them" works for some things — for instance, Republicans coming around on gay rights — but not so much when it comes to language. If we cave on "literally," it will only be a matter of time before we'll be granting equal rights to "irregardless."And all the selfies in the world aren't as apocalyptic as that," to relay the unimportant of the subject.
Link to the full article:
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-daum-literally-oed-20131212,0,6736521.column#ixzz2uq8jsfHo