Theresa Sauter wrote a scholarly journal article titled “‘What’s on your mind?’ Writing on Facebook as a tool for self-formation”, where she explains how writing on Facebook and other social medias is a modern way of individuals performing self-development. She says, “online self-writers reveal their daily actions to others, portray a sense of efficiency and reflect on daily conduct. They relate to others and make themselves accountable for their actions” (831). Social media is shaping a new way for people to find themselves and their identity. This relates to Foucault in the way that writing is seen as the “shaping of oneself” and how it can establish a relationship “of oneself with oneself” (2). On facebook you can read and respond to other users which is what Foucault would call correspondence.
‘What’s on your mind?’ Writing on Facebook as a tool for self-formation
Square
I never thought of Facebook, or other social media, this way before, but posting on these sites does seem to work as a means for self-development. It’s interesting that she claims that posting on Facebook makes users hold themselves accountable for their actions. I wonder what effects this has on users, especially considering the ubiquity of social media these days.