Bragging Rights
Before tabloid reporting and social media, the access and dissection of wealthy circles was not known to most of us. Over the past 10 years, the explosion of heirs and heiress’ flaunting their pedigree and privilege is now internet fodder. Paris Hilton first became known when Page Six labeled her an “IT girl”, and since then every other rich kid has tried to and wants to emulate her fame.
Rich kids are using social media to broadcast their conspicuous consumption. “The Rich Kids of Instagram ” is a Tumblr blog that started last month and is devoted to pictures of supposed “silver spoon kids” indulging in excess. There are pictures of teens partying on yachts, Dom Perignon flowing freely, and even a dinner receipt at a St. Tropez restaurant totaling 100,000-euro.
These posts have taken boasting to another realm. Whether it’s rich kids flashing their wealth or average teens posting their photos of partying in nightclubs and pools, it’s an interesting look at how teens have changed their sense of validation and pushed it into the public realm. Rebecca Greenfield writes in The Atlantic that “Preteens posing with helicopters , they did nothing to earn and posting the pictures online for others to ogle provides an easy in for commentary on the state of the American dream. (Dead.)”
But, is it really a commentary of the American Dream or is it more on how social media has changed people’s goals and the way they experience things now? How many Facebook friends, Twitter followers, and Instagram users do you know document their “amazing and interesting lives” by frequently updating their various social media profiles? The desire to make people jealous and believe that their lives are more exciting and important by oversharing is a sad look at how people are so busy documenting their activities instead of actually experiencing it.
These frivolous poses and posts try to give us a glimpse into their real worlds, but those real lives are most likely not as interesting or attractive. Why do you think some people need to broadcast every aspect of their lives? Please leave a comment below.
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Am i the only one that just doesn’t care? So the kids are stuck-up. Point? Doesn’t affect my life in anyway, so why should it bother other people? I didn’t even hear about this until yesterday – but let’s face it: if any of us had that type of money, we’d do the same thing.
Besides, it’s not even THEIR money. It’s their parents’ money. So they can act like spoiled brats all they way, it won’t change the fact that, once their 18, none of that is theirs anymore.
I think any fool can cast a shadow, probably without even meaning to. I don’t grudge thoughtless teenagers their chance to dance and show off to each other.
I’d say a child with a camera isn’t always going to be a child. When I last visited New York, it was full of public hospitals and public libraries. They weren’t built by jealous people out for what they could grab.
As a teen, i really dont agree that we should share every aspect of our lives. Everything you put out on the internet is there to stay. And everyone reads it and sees it. Sometimes it can affect your job, your friends, your family, and your relationships. I say, its not worth it. While i do use social websites, i try to stay away from personal things and delicate subjects. Young people just dont understand anymore. The consequences might be bigger than they think. There are too many incidents of stalkers and crazy people.. I rather just keep stuff to myself.
I think that most people in America have lost their sense of modesty. People before, for the most part, had manners and would keep things to theirselves. Nowadays if you did something like you mentioned, maybe partying on a yacht, the first thing everyone does is post it on facebook and twitter and when they call or text or talk to people they say “oh yeah I was partying on a yacht last night”. Before I think people would have been more modest and have only told people when they wanted to know and asked, not just because they want to seem cool or better then everyone else. People who are self-absorbed will have no life with others because they can not care more about someone else then themselves. It’s sad, so when we see this happening it’s more of feeling sad for them and how they can’t see that money can’t buy you class or love.
“The desire to make people jealous and believe that their lives are more exciting and important by oversharing is a sad look at how people are so busy documenting their activities instead of actually experiencing it.”
I think you summed it up right there. Rich or not, Twitter and Facebook (especially Twitter for some reason) have become places for people to simply post how awesome their lives are, or how dramatic they are, or how many friends/followers they have, etc. etc. It’s just silly. But, they’re looking for a response and they usually get one.
It tells me how bored they are.
If I really enjoy something, say sailing, or
sky-diving…that is fun, and to post it
takes away from the fun of it.
It puts the fun into words.
But if the purpose is to show everyone
how much …better…they are than
everyone else, then it will be done
with a different purpose in mind.
These ones will still go sailing but
it will be: what can I wear so everyone
will notice me, how can I pretend to look
as if I’m good at this, how can I pose
and get pictures taken.
That is not being ‘in the experience’.
So, it’s a kind of ‘wealthy poverty’ where
the teen or young person only feeds
off how they make others feel
less or small.
Others would be wise to ignore all
that and enjoy what they are doing
even if it is only their homework.
I agree with Xenobia.
Who the hell cares what spoilt children post online. No one is making you look at it. I’d never heard of it at all.
But… to address your point, I think if the rich Mummys and Daddies allow their children to waste money and post everything online, it reflects their crass, egoistic, obnoxious characters. Lots of recognisable rich malleable preteens can only lead to extortion. These children will get quite used to having sycophants around them and have a miserable life empty of real friends.
Or they might not, they may grow out of showing off and lead brilliant privileged lives that benefit the human race and do their fathers proud.
It is human nature to show off what we have. When my friend bought a new expensive car, I was unaware of it. All of a sudden he wanted to meet up. Did not know why until I found out that he had a new car. So it is human nature to show off what we have and social media is proving to be one of those show-off places.
They feel the need to post those pictures because they want to feel good about themselves. When they have all those materialistic items, many friends that they have are just hanging around them for said items and they never actually feel good. However, when they get people telling them how lucky they are, this provides gratification for the rich kids they just don’t get from their toys.
I just don’t understand why being rich by means of inheritance equals boasting rights. Boasting rights would include how you got there.
as a ‘rich kid of instagram’ i find this article hilarious.
just get over it. so you take the bus – who cares? we dont care about how you live your life so get over ours
someone is a little bit jealous?!
what would be the point of living our lifestyle if we didnt show it off to our jealous or eqaully rich friends?
i have a tip for you – stop bitching about us and try and make friends with us so maybe you will get the invite to Cannes one day…
i know this reply is going to make you furious but im just telling you how it is. lifes not fair. so what. mine’s great.
The rich will be rich.
What most people can’t seem to understand is that the vast majority of rich people are nice. Well, in England anyway.
Furthermore the American dream never really existed. When there is war (amongst any group of people) the is no freedom.
Let teens spend the money of adults. They will probably be able to make that sort of money anyway because they’ll inherit it one way or another.
It’s not impossible to be rich, it just takes a lot of effort. The real problem we have is how to cope with the human instinctive emotions like jealousy and war. Solve those things of human nature and everything else will solve themselves.
As for Facebook, everyone knows that social sites are evil, it’s old news.
these kids are douchebags
Not an ‘IT’-girl – more a ‘what’-girl.
It’s not a matter of being bored, or stupider or anything – rich children are bought up differently, so they think differently to the way others do. For people struggling to make ends meet. On analysis, that will look very curious from the outside.
While not having to worry about mummy and daddy’s spending, or whether they eat today, and about a thousand other considerations about how that affects them (and how that is perceived by others), there will naturally be different expectations.
It just shows my country’s failure to educate our children these days and no one is to blame but illiterate parents. They appease their children with cell phones, Ipods, and game consoles to keep the kids out of their hair and then wonder why our country is in a downward spiral. The children are so lazy today they go online and ask for answers to their homework questions because they’re to lazy to move their fingers on a keyboard. Back in the day, we walked 2 miles in snow to get to the library to get home work help and we enjoyed every minute of it. The parents come home and brag about how they facebooked all day and got paid for it then demand more money for the work they don’t do in the first place. What happened to an honest day for an honest dollar? They get laid off and haven’t the brains to figure out their actions got their jobs outsourced to countries where people work for a living. You’re looking at the “Fall of the Great American Empire”.
Why would anyone care to see average pictures of everyday life?
They feel the need to broadcast everything they do because inside they are actually pathetic & empty and are seeking to feel that they are important, liked, or that they even matter.
I suppose Facebook and other social media sites are good for reconnecting with, staying in touch with, or sharing with friends and/or family….
But I think the majority of users are pathetic, low self esteemed, losers trying to feel special by getting their friend/friended number higher & higher. A simple click of the mouse, over & over, makes them believe they’re gaining status as that number gets higher.
I’d much rather only have a little time here & there to talk with, write to, and see face-to-face the handful of people who I’ve actually met and know are my real friends.., than to spend any time at all on 1000 “friends” I haven’t met, or actually even know, and sharing occasional comments & pics so the make believe friendships seem real.
That might be a nice change. Before around 100 years ago, royalty was famous, not celebrities. It’s interesting how it might go back to being that way.
i met a lot of rich, & often famous, people.
Not cause i was ever rich or because i seek that kind of thing, but rather because i travel & perform year round.
Many of the richies i met have cars that cost more than my house, pounds of gold jewelry, & daily makeup that costs more than a week’s food for me.
These people are invariably miserable & repulsive, & usually on drugs, with jaded families & phony friends.
The other kind of rich people i meet are the ones who wear jeans & a t-shirt, & drive a pickup truck or motorcycle…to WORK…These guys are always happy, with happy families.
We are in the age of distraction, people have forgotten it’s more important to experience the world rather than document it.
This facebook thing is not limited to teens, i often see folks in their 40′s posting about their new Hummer or the gadget they bought their kid.
There are certain advantages to being ignored.
I also think it is how society perceives things now and what it sees as important. just look at all the music videos this generation has grown up with- the “good life” being one where you are covered in women, money, and spending all day doing nothing except lounging, drinking, drugs, at a party or mansion or yacht. this is what people percieve as success now, and what people are trying to be. and there is still tons of music, if not more, blatantly portraying constant partying, drinking, sex, as part of what a teens life should be
I’m not a religious person but I believe that it’s evident that our society is on a downward slide in so many ways – education, morals, and culture.
These kids are the product of greed and ignorance. It’s doubtful that most of them understand hard work and ethics. They are among the millions of youth who grow up with the entitlement attitude and it’s only getting worst! Their money doesn’t buy class and culture; it only buys material goods that are abandoned for the next fad and style.
Much of our youth lacks substance and decency. If our great country falls, it will be because we have raised shallow and spoiled Americans so far removed from what our country was built on. How sad!!!
It’s got nothing to do with the American Dream or the Social Crap. It’s more about materialistic “I’ve got and you don’t”.
Mirabel is so FULL OF HERSELF. She is the epitome of arrogance. The sad part is someone like her one day will find herself flat on her surgically tightened hiney. The problem with people who live with their heads in the air is that sooner or later the helium cools, and they’ll find themselves at the mercy of those whom they land amongst on the ground. Hope she realizes that she is going to grow old, unimportant, and croak like everyone else.
Misguided fools who paint an image of themselves that is merely smoke and mirrors.
Unfortunately when none of those things makes them a better human being, all they are left with is the fact they are COMMON just like anyone else. Even rich people have nothing to desire amongst themselves…only to envy and hate. They are quite comical actually….always lost in their pursuit of MORE, MORE, MORE.
I suppose that eventually they will just go insane in such mad pursuits.. Who would really want to be them?
Sadly in their pursuit to be valuable….they are anything BUT.
Anyone who has to spend their time making others envy them are obviously people who have no self esteem nor do they have anything to envy.
These people almost always end up old and bitter and alone and dependent on substances to endure what little quality of life they truly have.
Did they really think they’d end up ANYWHERE but on their knees in the end?
Sorry, but there is nothing to a) admire, or b) envy about snot-nosed rich people who have tell the world how “great” they are.
They are rather pathetic if you ask me.
If that is how they choose to spend their time, let them.
It’s actually quite comical watching themselves try to convince the world that they actually matter.
In the end they fade away to dust like everyone else and 100 years from now, no one will even know they ever existed.
So cry baby, cry.
I went on a cruise the other day, and I suddenly had the urge to show off all the pictures of my trip and get into pointless details to make it seem like i was living the life. instead i just kept it to myself, because i dont want to give in to the need to exploit myself for self-esteem.
It’s not about bragging or causing jealousy in others, it’s about feedback and validation.
Nobody posts pictures of themselves enjoying an expensive night out if they do not want feedback from the people to whom they show the pictures. A rich lifestyle is ultimately an unfulfilling and vapid lifestyle and absolutely requires the reaction of others for it to be considered important.
Basically, rich kids constantly need other people’s feedback to remind them why being rich is important to them, otherwise they are no different to everyone else. The last thing they want is to be reminded that they are the same as everyone else.
I think these kids post these comments because it gives them a sense of importance. They want to feel like people really care about their lives and they really love the idea of being better than others. The internet has given kids of all classes a sense of self-importance. People just need to recognize that these are glamorized versions of their lives and that people only take pictures of the good parts.
I think they feel the need to post every aspect of their lives because they think everyone cares and because their addicted to constantly telling people what their doing. Also because they might not have anything else better to do at the moment or moments their posting they where-abouts,plans,shopping sprees,etc.
And btw to all the stuck up annoying rich kids that do this (posting everything they do) GET A HOBBY. Find something else to do because nobody cares about your over-priced so called *amazing lives.* Nobody cares about what your doing so find something else to do in your spare time.
What is an instagram, please? And who is this face that’s on a book that everyone talks about??
At any event, what they do is more fruitful than what I am doing responding to this space-filler.
There was one commenter claiming to be a rich kid of instagram this is for her along with my opinion. These so called rich kids are infact making a bad name for themselves and their parents. The parents work hard to build a name and they want to tear it down. I also think it’s a cry for attention. Nobody is jealous of them and for the young lady mirabell your parents started from humble beginnings so noone’s crying over your life. Grow up instead of spending all theirr parents money these kids should get some commonsense and respect for themselves.
I believe this is a showing of immaturity. I am an old woman and I know who I am. It is not necessary for me to promote myself because I know what I value and what it takes to make me happy and secure. One of life’s lessons is learning not to offend and not to be offended by others.
So many people interpret this old saying wrong, i.e. “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
God teaches us to not be offended by anyone, because when God is for me, who can be against me. To believe what others say about me and ignore what God says about me, would make me a very vulnerable person. I trust God so words cannot hurt me. Have a joyous day, my friend.
My own comment is: that it’s no secret, as time has gone by, we all seem to notice this issue,as the children, preteens and teens up into the younger adult groups seem to be the most prominent ones in this arena. The Internet Highway, gadgets and interest in tall the newest inventions has escalated this venue, while they active less interest in joining clubs like Scouting, 4-H clubs, (learning *with/about animals generally, & learning about problem solving as persons. *the real life issues,while their parents have actually osculated most of these deficiencies, *by buying or having the kids, all levels go out purchasing such things as; *more updated *gadgets, or even send the to learn at schools, *colleges, *(just to keep them busier,) *even out of their *time-slots, **hair! to me for truly selfish motive here too! Not giving more time, emotionally or *hands- for teaching to the kids, *it’s been left up to the society at large, as a whole; & we all know that is going-down hill fast, like a real decremental drain, & *fast! (I worried on my own, *not so long ago, behind me even, *yes, they too have been influenced in attitudes/living styles, *not as severely perhaps, but just the same they really do suffer/attitude wise. Adults complain they are :” just *too busy, or have *too much stress now?”, *but they are only creating more for them- selves, in the near future as these young adults are going that route, with blinders on too!. The *wealthier parents are the most easily influenced to go this journey, *as their money seems to *take over, where their own *efforts & time; have failed the children they had. The youngsters *could have gotten much *better remedies & saved many a young person *first. So many live in fear and are totally confused now, here today. Create a stronger *foundation/and background to fall back on, I say, as it’s only with (GOD) in our/their lives it can be accomplished., (*for them to travel through-in life, they need that; God, but this is *not what has transpired.to date. *Another necessary, *respecting the parents/elders- known experiences to guide them! Another *instance of high values is: *Religion. It is the religion emphasis that we as parents have *squandered, *we adults let it happen too! We have not *guarded, them sufficiently against the temptations/blows of life. now, it is a for sure *weakest point in our society too; society as I *feel/see it. So bad, we see so many ill effects even on the preteens today!. It’s no *wonder, (if the parents had felt more *obligation to support the children none of this would be now.) society would not have so much influence/control over them. *God too, He needs to be a mediation force/factor, *in all our families all our personal lives, if any of us are to get stronger, & survive. *Much/most of this would *NOT have gone off the *deep-end as it *definitely *has! *We all have created this *messy situation at hand now, so, *we pay, the *Piper, (with our own flesh & blood), our kids. *seeing what it has done, *even will do to our youth-is scary/sad, and just *unacceptable! Our own *overindulgences, *(as well as our ongoing now *neglects) are the reasons, causes for all this dismay! ..
Well, if it’s only for family and friends to see, there’s nothing wrong with it! I post pictures for my family to see on social networks! But if it’s saying ‘Hey! Look how much money I have! Bet you can’t afford this!” Then it’s a bit obnoxious!
Why are you trying to display this problem when they are teenagers? Teenagers today are stupid, and money isn’t helping.
0 life
As far back as I can recollect people have been bragging about necessary and unnecessary extravagance. I can imagine similar brags in cave paintings and their relatives being buried with colorful seashells, to the opulent Pompeii houses, the Sphinx and pyramids, all are just symbols of bragging.
Kids emulating their parents.
They should flaunt it if they have it, so those that don’t may live vicariously through them. And spending is good for the economy. Bless ‘em.
I am a teen who recently joined fb, and i agree, i find myself looking for facebook friends when i only just met them and wont share anything anyways. being a teenager is all about proving your self worth- so facebook is a new way to try to make people jealous about your amazing life. why are we so competitive?
Perhaps because they are lonely or don’t have the recognition from the people in their life or not. And because they like to be acknowledged or praised.
It’s far from new, really–the rich have always been known for conspicuous consumption and for the antics of their offspring.
Even during the Great Depression, girls such as Brenda Frasier (not sure of her last name’s spelling) and her version of the BFF, Cobina (I think her last name was Wright) were known for having extravagant debutante balls and for their behavior that pushed the edge for its time.
The major difference was that it was only the newspapers (and perhaps the radio) that covered the stories.
Nowadays we have social networks that make grandstanding available 24/7–literally.
I guess I’m just an old fogey, but I really couldn’t care less about what the rich and over privileged are doing.
“Why do you think some people need to broadcast every aspect of their lives?”
Because they can. We’ve enabled them (with social networking and other instant broadcasting tools) and even reward them (with point rewards, dollars for ad clicks) for doing it.
It’s a phase. We’ll get over it. And ourselves.
I hope.
Your totally wrong social media doesn’t change anything about people, what it does is let everyone be themselves x10.. what your seeing is the sad sad truth of the majority of society… if you everyone who has money now, and switch with the person who doesn’t have money, the amount of people who would behave like that stay the same, and its a majority, so that means that most people are like that……. your all pathetic
I think teens want to update their statuses and tweet about everything going on in their lives because they want to be accepted.
If people knew that they had all this money, they would be accepted.
For those teens who don’t have the luxurious life, they (we) post statuses and tweets etc to let everyone know that they’re following the trend. for example,
“I watched titanic yesterday”
and they would get all these comments or replies that show that they have been accepted by the community. Facebook has the like button and twitter with the favourite or retweet. It’s just about people accepting us and if it’s one like or a thousand, teens feel loved when they are accepted.
What a pity that they need our imagined jealousy to feel validated.
Well said Yahoo! mouse. The obsession with other peoples lives is unrelenting and inexplicable. There are more important things to focus on.
These teens always existed and social media only magnifies those people. I have the same five needy people on my facebook posting every minute. Check-ins, photos of illustrious vacations. I have been on vacation myself and wanted to post but then I think it is very vain. Some people are missing that “chip” The one that says don’t be a d****.
Totally agree. I’m not going to lie though, I would do exactly the same.
I suppose it’s human to show happiness, and getting there all by yoursef is really something to be thrilled with. However, inheritance is far less rewarding and kind of removes the challenge of life.
Teens spending away their money and documenting it have no value for experience, work and others. It’s merely thowing away the hard work of their of relatives.
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Yea it is human nature to show off. i would have to agree on that!
Very interesting content, but it is hard to take very seriously when it is posted next to a rodent in a bath robe.