One of the positive aspects of social media is that it enables ordinary people to use public platforms for self-celebration, even if this frequently involves mimicking so-called celebrities. This is desirable to the extent that such posturing can reinforce a sense of self-worth and bolster self-esteem among common people by granting them visibility otherwise denied to them. A related point is that what we notice, share, and communicate ordinarily or in these spaces is rarely neutral; it is largely designed, and human attention itself is structured to register certain stimuli while disregarding others. The opportunity for the public to appropriate and engage with such designs is a particularly valuable aspect of this development.
Before the advent of social media, common people had minimal means to publicly showcase their moments of celebration. At best, they maintained photo albums, which were shown, often somewhat forcibly, to visiting guests, who, in turn, usually feigned interest. This arrangement functioned as a tacit social agreement. Social media has expanded this possibility. Ordinary individuals now possess small but visible spaces on public platforms of their choosing, accessible to audiences who opt in rather than being compelled. In this sense, social media represents a form of democratisation of public space.
This development is largely welcome. At the same time, it remains important to recognise that decency requires a conscious distinction between private and public life, and a respectful adherence to that boundary. Secondly, in the same vein, public expression should not be merely showy; without embedded substance or wider relevance, it risks becoming assertive and intrusive, disregarding shared human sensibilities.
Niraj Kumar Jha
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