Selfies: Searching for the Image of God in a Digital World

In this accessible book, Detweiler (iGods) skillfully navigates the complications of living a spiritual life in the age of social media. He begins with a discussion of how quickly “selfie culture” has taken over—the word “selfie” was first used in 2002, and by 2013 it was named word of the year by the Oxford English Dictionary. In that short span, Detweiler writes, selfies have changed the way society works. Individuals now use photos not only for documentary reasons, but also as representations of who they think they are as people. Self-worth has been redefined, Detweiler writes, through the proliferation of images distorted to enhance qualities, giving people a false sense of how others see them. Although he is wary of the corrosive effects of distorting one’s self-image to conform to external standards, he proposes stripping the veneer from self-portraiture in order to foster connection: “We elevate the selfie when we recognize how our failures and triumphs fit within a larger story and use that recognition to help someone else navigate the way.” For Detweiler, “elevating” the selfie means reclaiming the stories behind the pictures. Detweiler’s work also includes self-portrait photographs and artworks from the past in order to consider “modes of communication” across generations. Christian readers will appreciate Detweiler’s detailed book on how individuals might best traverse social media with character and confidence. (Mar.)