Assignment 1

Yikes! I have 500 words to script my identity. Given the unanimous declaration of individuality and personal complexity stated by my peers during class discussion, I find it quit improbable that any of us would be capable of achieving such an immense task. Nonetheless, I attempt the feet; however, as I do so I would like to point out the cultural phenomena associated with this assignment, as it is an all too familiar platform for the technologically savvy masses of extreme individuals, whom have little to say and little to distinguish themselves by other than a list of favorite bands and movies accompanied by colorful backdrops, a self defining song played in the background, and a list of random irrelevant comments posted by those dearest to them, such as, “watz up man… I havn chilld w/ U in mad long hit me up”. Scanning the endless “identities” of Myspace and Facebook, which parallel in many ways the concept of this assignment, pages begin to melt together and every identity leads into the next. It quickly becomes evident that the terms, forms, and values placed on identity, in this modern age of technology and radical individualism, are extremely external, inauthentic, and impersonal.
Unfortunately, as I begin my own assessment of identity, I am tragically defeated by an overwhelming sense of trivialness. I do not feel and I can not relate to the intensely popular desire and format of asserting one’s identity in this digital age. Honestly, when I first sat down to begin this assignment, I struggled greatly to conform to the format. Obviously, however, I was unable and now find myself in a mess of criticism that caries a potential to offend. If this be the case, please permit me to clarify and defend some of my commentary.
I am by no means asserting that anyone of us are not individuals, but rather, that the array, dazzle, and simplicity of establishing such a virtual identity through such meager means is misleading and lacks depth. In fact, it boggles my mind that a person can state to a room full of their peers that they are “unique;” however, when asked to elaborate on their uniqueness they are stumped and reply awkwardly that they “do not know… they just are.” I know very well that we all feel our uniqueness, but I am not certain that all of us have explored the meaning behind the feeling.
I do not blame entirely, but do attribute some responsibility to current social standards of establishing uniqueness and individuality. Identity is not something worn on the stylishly torn sleeve of an American Eagle sweatshirt. It is not a list of adjectives, nor is it determined by material, external, or measurable factors. Identity is internal, intangible, and can not be captured. Hence, it is no wonder that a person asked to explicate their sense of uniqueness struggles to find the words.
My point, if I even have one, is that we are mislead by giant social networking programs, such as Facebook, Myspace, and other alleged outlets of individual expression into thinking that we are the sum of their parts. Yes, I too claim that I am an individual; yet, I do not feel that my individuality need be nor can be encapsulated into a packaged whole.