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Selfies have become a ubiquitous part of modern life, but where did they come from, and how have they evolved over time? Let's delve into the fascinating history of self-portraiture.
The concept of a selfie dates back thousands of years. One of the earliest known examples is a self-portrait sculpted by Pharaoh Akhenaten's chief royal sculptor, Beck, over three thousand years ago. This ancient sculpture not only depicted Beck's head and shoulders but also included his wife, making it a contender for the oldest known "asymmetrical" selfie.
But the roots of self-representation go even further back. The earliest life forms on Earth had a crude, pre-conscious sense of themselves, distinguishing themselves from their environment. These unintentional, automatic, or accidental resemblances can be considered the first wave of selfies.
The second wave of selfies began with the first intentional depictions of oneself. This wave includes everything from the 32,000-year-old hand stencil prints in the Chauvet caves to the paintings of Jan Van Eyck and Judith Leyster. However, the true revolution in self-depiction came with the advent of photography in the 19th century.
Photography ushered in the third wave of selfies. In 1839, Robert Cornelius took what is often considered the first selfie, using a camera he built himself. This marked the beginning of a new era where self-portraits could be made faster, with less skill, and with a higher degree of accuracy than ever before.
The modern-day selfie, as we know it, began to take shape in the 20th century. The use of mirrors, poles, and sticks to activate the camera's shutter led to the development of the classic "outstretched arm" selfie technique. By the 1960s and 70s, instant cameras made taking selfies even easier, physically and mentally.
The fourth wave of selfies was driven by social sharing. In 1995, Japanese photographer Toshikawa Haromi, known as Hero Mix, popularized taking pictures of daily life and sharing them with others. This practice soon spread, and by the mid-2000s, the term "selfie" was born.
The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and the introduction of front-facing cameras on smartphones further accelerated the popularity of selfies. By 2013, usage of the word "selfie" had jumped 17,000 percent, earning it the title of Word of the Year.
Defining what constitutes a selfie in the modern sense can be challenging. Does it need to be a photograph? Do you have to be holding the camera? These questions and more have led to various interpretations of what a selfie truly is.
In conclusion, selfies have evolved from ancient sculptures to digital snapshots, reflecting our changing relationship with self-representation and technology. They have become a powerful tool for communication and self-expression, allowing us to be seen and heard in a world increasingly dominated by images.
So, the next time you take a selfie, remember that you are part of a long and fascinating history of self-portraiture.
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