Kim Kardashian to release a book full of selfies

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian recently announced that she would be releasing a 352-page book containing only her selfies, titled ‘Selfish.’ As popular as selfies (a self-portrait photograph) are amongst celebrities, this is the first time someone is releasing a book full of them. While some feel its just self-exploration, others find it narcissistic.

According to psychologist Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center, even though ‘selfie’ is a new obsession with people today; the urge to capture one’s own image is centuries old- she said while citing cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs. With coming of smartphones and social networks though, this has gone to a whole new level.

Priced $20, there is very good chance of the book being extremely profitable, considering Kardashian has over 17 million followers on instagram alone.  An article in the TIME magazine mockingly says, “Her photos are sure to run the gamut from sexually suggestive to sexually suggestive,” hinting at the previous trail of similar revealing pictures that she has posted on social networking websites before.

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Even though people consider it harmless, this new obsession with oneself is developing and diminishing a false sense of self-worth in people. Being most popular amongst teenage girls, this decent into megalomania is in no way setting a good example for young minds, making them more and more appearance-obsessed.

Dr. Harry Brandt, director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, told Forbes magazine, “In this age of modern technology and constant access to SmartPhones and the internet, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to remove themselves from images and other triggers that promote negative body image, low self-esteem and may ultimately contribute to eating disorders.” One can at least hope that the publishing of this book wouldn’t start another trend infused with empty vanity.