BeReal should not…be real

I've been really into watching people talk about why they left social media and why social media is bad, lately. Although, I'll be honest and say I've rolled my eye at every video or message I've seen. Yes, I am well aware that it can be harmful to certain people and their judgement or their self esteem. I have seen how trends start and the whole bbl epedimic/the talk surrounding plastic surgery first hand. I will not sit here and say everyone is better with social media, but I do have an issue when people act as though they don't have a little control over what they see and what they post.

What is BeReal & how do you use it

I'll get into that more later, but right now I'd like to take a look at the social media site BeReal. It's an app that's purpose is for people to be...real. Great naming right?

The app is designed to be the "anti- Instagram" (actually, it's nicknamed that). Meaning, it's not full of people faking it, and posting about how perfect their lives are.It's about posting what you're doing in the moment, even if it's bland and just you chilling with your pet in your messy bedroom.

The app asks the person to post one/two (I'll explain) picture a day. And here's where it gets interesting: you don't know when the app will tell you to post. Meaning, you very well could have just gotten done doing the most awesome thing ever, yet the app asks you to post when that awesome thing is over and done.

The app takes a picture from your front camera, then your back one. So, that's two picturess really.

You can add people you know, you don't have to disclose your location, and you're supposed to be authentic/post once (like Snapchat, Instagram's new feature...).

Pretty simple actually.

Now, I'm not one to yuck someone's yum and I quite like that people are thinking to themselves, "hey, I don't have to always be doing something impressive. My life is worth a photo at all times just because..." But, I have my own thoughts.

Firstly,

this seems mad performative. I've literally seen comments of tiktok and youtube about people being upset about the app asking them to take a picture when they're not doing anything cool. Like, dude that's the point. I've seen people saying that they wait to open the app and take a late picture (because that's an option which is silly in itself because it defe---never mind) when they're doing something worth sharing with their friends. So, people are still "being fake" or being unhappy with them not being able to "be fake" or at least their ability to "share only the good" which I guess isn't fake.

They're still putting on a show, still performing even when the app calls for you not to.

Fun fact: Tiktok has already gotten on board with this by giving the option of showing someone's present with a "Now" feature.

Also, isn't that just what taking a picture already is? Your now?

Anyway, here's my second thought.

You can already do this with your own content on Instagram or Tik Tok or anything else. You can already just take a picture of how you are now. Actually, that's what people do anyway. If you don't want to always show yourself dressed to the nines and being in a new country, you don't have to. You must make the app reflect who you are/what you want to show. Feeling confident and comfortable should have happened on that first app. This new one doesn't magically make you feel less pressured clearly. It's up to you to say what you want to say on your own page.

Furthermore,

you can choose what you see for the most part. My pages are full of chill people just skating outside, friends that show themselves lounging around and sure, I do see people making incredibly complex content, but that's something I choose to see to motivate/impress my artistic side.

The app just feels...pointless when you see what the other apps are for. Sharing what you want to share and seeing what you want to see in order to connect with others. That's literally what they're all for.

Random but major issues:

1. But, you can also change what fits into the camera

2. you can post late

3. AND YOU CAN RETAKE PHOTOS that defea---c'mon.

I'm trying to give the benefit of the doubt to this app but I literally cannot.

If you have a problem with staying on social media for too long, or need a little push to share your true self...I guess that'd make sense. Like, I said, you can do you and I won't judge. I just think that real change comes from you doing that in general, not just on an app designed for it. Be open and honest everywhere (with boundaries because this world is still...dangerous).

The app may be good if you find yourself scrolling for too long, but that means you probably need to find out why you're on it for so long too and what you can do outside of it.

Some days, I feel it's okay to scroll for long as long as you don't forget to take care of yourself. It's a good relaxtion method or can bring you joy (all those memes and funny videos).

Finally, I want to point out 2 things that I'm just guessing but don't know for sure

1. It's new. And my guess is that when the newness dies down, people won't continue to join the app or even stay on for long.

2. It seems mad boring if we're being honest, but when I do redownload my social media apps (I don't take them off my phone because I'm on them too long, or they harm me, I just don't have storage) I like to see people doing cool things. Sure, every once and a while I think "man I wish I could play my instrument like that," or "I wish I had the idea to make a video for that song like that," but that's a good thing to me. Gets my creative juices flowing. It may not be a good thing for others and I recognize that. It's a hard world, and we're all thinking of being something or someone else every at times.

I honestly said "my issue with blah blah," when really I don't have an issue. I get why someone would be drawn to this app. I just don't think it's a good app idea, or people are truly using it the way it's intended to be used. But, I mean they do give you options to get you to not use it the way they're promoting it. How are they gonna tell you to "be real" whilst allowing you to "be fake" c'mon.

Here's an important thought:

If the people who follow you on these apps make you want to not "be real" why do you care and why do you allow them to follow you? Block em, or just make them unfollow you (there's a way for that on Instagram). But, you shouldn't have to go to a whole new app with a weak concept to feel good about your mundane life. Most people you know live as you do. They go to school or work, come in and chill with their pet and family. That's cool. That's real. If you want something else out of life, I trust that you'll get it if you work hard and remember you're the only you you can be. You'll make it there on your own time. No one has the same schedule. No one even has the same goals.

You're real right now.

The performative authenticity makes me gag though.

Thanks for reading. Peace.