Blog Four: It's A Small World

The facial expression of the child in these photos captures the instant relief he has  from gaining a few "followers". But the restrained misery of the child in the second photos subtly suggests that his initial outburst is not over, he will not be content until the whole world stops to grant him attention. The choice of color, blue on the boy's shift can be understood as a symbol for sadness in the loneliness of relying on technology for interconnection while the red of the follower box resembles the anger the boy feels for being ignored among his peers. Symbolism arises again in the form of the blue phone that the boy clutches to himself. Typically a boy this little would not own a smartphone, therefore the boy is figurehead for anyone who immaturely bases their self-worth and happiness on the recognition they receive from social media networks. The insignificant transition of the boy faces as he gains a small network of followers critics the idea that anyone deserves to be followed in such a self-absorbed world wherein everyone strives to gather an adoring network; either by pleasing others ahead of themselves or pouring out their neediness online (illustrated by the boy crying). Banksy addresses the concept that we all fight to be valued in a civilization that has ironically, become even further isolated with the creation of social media networks that prevent deep conservations, the expression of body language, or human touch in trying to connect its users. Additionally, the contrast of the boy's white skin alongside the black shadows resembles the underlying cause of the boy's distress: his inability to exist as an individual who develops a passion for life without needing the input of others to supplement his self-identity or confidence. Again, the boy's disgruntled face in the second photograph points out followers online act only as a symptom reliever, not a cure for humanity's indescribable loneliness. Essentially, we are stuck in our own heads without the knowledge of how others perceive us unless they take action to demonstrate their interest, such as following us. This breeds a constant turmoil of whether or not we are appreciated besides our own meager dose of self worth. The placement of the boy at the end of a grass patch is symbolic of the feeling that "I have reached the end of the world" when we realize we can't be the center of everyone's universe. Everyone else is busy trying to get likes online just as desperately we might be, creating a paradox of unwanted and unreceived attention.


"Social Sedative" by Banksy