Maddox argues that the media is constantly comparing the myth of narcissism to selfie-related deaths, rethinking the notion of narcissism as a form of exhibitionism. Maddox explains that selfie-related deaths are compared to the myth of narcissism because “...they are seemingly the manifestation of Narcissus falling into the pond, having been consumed to death by his own image” (193).
She contextualizes the selfie as being “...a photograph one has taken of one’s self, typically with a smartphone or a webcam, and shared via social media” (194). She explains that the purpose and motivation behind selfies are to share with others for self-promotion to seek attention. Maddox underlines that selfie-culture contradicts Narcissus, who refused “...to share his image with anyone” because “...he wouldn't have thought anyone could appreciate it as much as he could’” (194).
She brings up the idea of exhibitionism and its relation to selfie culture by saying “I refer to the denotation from the Exhibitionism: “Extravagant behavior that is intended to attract attention to one's self...intended to receive a response...narcissism is a critique more fitting in the analog era, while exhibitionism is more suited to digital cultures, given the sharing commanded by social media’” (194). However, she does acknowledge that selfie-culture is the “...excessive self-love” that relates to the “...nature of narcissism” that “...too much self-love is deviant.” (194-195). Maddox then proposes “...selfies, narcissism, and exhibitionism in a tripartite relationship, in which digital habits, photographic practices, and self-branding construct the individual as lesser than those who do not take selfies” (197).
She critically examines major newspapers to further contextualizes her argument of rethinking narcissism as exhibitionism. An example that she brings up is the New York Times that says, “It’s rarely mentioned that the classical myth of Narcissus isn’t just about a boy who becomes obsessed with his own image, it’s about a boy who dies as a result of this obsession...but, instead of staring at his reflection in the water, Narcissus is staring at himself in an Instagram interface. The point is striking -- interfaces are the new reflecting pool in which we lose ourselves to our own images” (201). In other words, they emphasize the correlation of self-absorption between Narcissus’ staring at his reflection in the pond and an individual staring at their selfies on a phone screen.
On the contrary, she also brings up The Guardian that focuses on the exhibitionism selfie phenomenon that can lead to an individual's fatality, “before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of ‘likes’ could lead someone on a journey to death and his last extreme photo could turn out to be posthumous individuals become so absorbed with their phone screens, that they take extreme selfies that can lead to their fatality" (201). Despite that Narcissus dies from self-absorption, individuals who are taking extreme selfies relates more towards exhibitionism by desiring to get attention or “likes,” that leads to their fatality, “...while Narcissis who wants isolation” (201). In addition, The Washington Post points out that, “People are getting way too close...park officials...bulletins blasting visitors for getting too close to the animals in pursuit of the perfect selfie” (201).
Maddox concludes that, “The Narcissus parable fits just enough with reporting on selfie-related deaths, since both situations have similar elements: images, self-love, and preventable death...Narcissus’ self-inflicted demise works as fable, intended to bolster image policing and selfie politics” (202). But she lastly emphasizes her arguments, “But today, with the influx of sharing one’s self as part of social media, accusations of narcissism are denotatively false. Exhibitionism, because of its emphasis on sharing, makes more sense as a digital cultural milieu” (203).
Maddox, Jessica. “Guns Don't Kill People. Selfies do: Rethinking Narcissism as Exhibitionism in Selfie-Related Deaths.”