What is *Selfie* by Will Storr about?

*Selfie* by Will Storr examines the historical roots of Western self-obsession, tracing its evolution from Ancient Greek philosophy to modern social media. It critiques how societal pressures for a "perfect self" fuel perfectionism, anxiety, and identity crises, while highlighting the dangerous consequences of hyper-individualism and online shaming culture.

Who should read *Selfie* by Will Storr?

This book is ideal for readers interested in psychology, cultural history, or sociology, particularly those grappling with societal pressures, social media addiction, or self-esteem issues. It’s also valuable for critics of neoliberal individualism and anyone seeking to understand modern mental health challenges.

Is *Selfie* by Will Storr worth reading?

Yes—*Selfie* offers a meticulously researched, engaging exploration of why Western culture prioritizes individualism. While some critics argue it focuses too narrowly on Western perspectives, its insights into perfectionism’s psychological toll and social media’s role in self-loathing make it timely and impactful.

What is the link between social perfectionism and suicide in *Selfie*?

Storr argues that unrealistic societal standards create a cycle of high expectations, perceived failure, and self-loathing, which psychologist Ray Baumeister calls an “escape from the self.” Case studies, like Debbie Hampton’s suicide attempt, illustrate how this pattern drives mental health crises.

How does *Selfie* explain the historical origins of self-obsession?

The book traces individualism to Ancient Greek philosophy, Renaissance humanism, and Christian ideologies that prioritized personal salvation. Storr critiques how these ideas evolved into modern neoliberalism, fostering a culture where self-worth is tied to achievement and appearance.

What does *Selfie* say about the self-esteem movement?

Storr reveals the unintended consequences of 1980s–90s self-esteem campaigns, showing how they exacerbated narcissism and anxiety by equating self-worth with external success. Programs like John Vasconcellos’ state-funded initiative unintentionally reinforced unrealistic expectations.

How does *Selfie* critique online selfie culture?

Storr links selfie-taking to a quest for validation, arguing that platforms like Instagram promote curated, unattainable identities. This fuels perfectionism, with users like CJ (a 22-year-old influencer) spending hours editing photos to meet narrow beauty standards.

What role does social shaming play in *Selfie*?

The book argues that online shaming acts as a modern “reputation police,” enforcing societal norms through public humiliation. Storr connects this to historical gossip traditions, showing how digital platforms amplify judgment and exacerbate self-loathing.

Selfie Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Selfie

Will Storr

3.92 (3708 Reviews)

Psychology Society History

Überblick

Wichtige Erkenntnisse

Autor

Häufige Fragen

In "Selfie," Will Storr brilliantly dissects our obsession with perfection, tracing Western individualism from Aristotle to Instagram. Why are millions suffering from self-loathing in our selfie culture? Discover how neoliberalism and social media created a crisis of perfectionism we can't escape.

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung9Min

Erlebe das Buch durch die Stimme des Autors

Vertiefung42Min

Verwandle Wissen in fesselnde, beispielreiche Erkenntnisse

Lernkarten7 Erkenntnisse

Erfasse Schlüsselideen blitzschnell für effektives Lernen

Spaß20Min

Genieße das Buch auf unterhaltsame und ansprechende Weise

Bestes Zitat aus Selfie

We're experiencing a profound crisis of selfhood, where the fantasy person we're failing to become tortures us psychologically.

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Selfie ist nicht nur ein Buch — es ist eine Meisterklasse in Psychology. Um Ihnen zu helfen, die Lektionen auf die für Sie beste Weise aufzunehmen, bieten wir fünf einzigartige Lernmodi an. Ob Sie ein Tiefdenker, ein schneller Lerner oder ein Geschichtenliebhaber sind, es gibt einen Modus, der zu Ihrem Stil passt.

Kurzfassung

Zusammenfassung von Selfie in 9 Minuten

Zerlegen Sie die Kernideen von Selfie in leicht verständliche Punkte, um zu verstehen, wie innovative Teams kreieren, zusammenarbeiten und wachsen.

00:00

Lernkarten

Top 7 Erkenntnisse aus Selfie auf einen Blick

Destillieren Sie Selfie in schnelle Gedächtnisstützen, die die Schlüsselprinzipien von Offenheit, Teamarbeit und kreativer Resilienz hervorheben.

Spaß

Lektionen aus Selfie erzählt in 20-Min Geschichten

Erleben Sie Selfie durch lebhafte Erzählungen, die Innovationslektionen in unvergessliche und anwendbare Momente verwandeln.

00:00

Personalisieren

Erleben Sie Selfie auf Ihre Weise.

Fragen Sie alles, wählen Sie die Stimme und erschaffen Sie gemeinsam Erkenntnisse, die wirklich bei Ihnen ankommen.

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Starten Sie Ihre Lernreise, jetzt

Diese Zusammenfassung herunterladen

Erhalten Sie die Selfie-Zusammenfassung als kostenloses PDF oder EPUB. Drucken Sie es aus oder lesen Sie es jederzeit offline.

Selfie

Will Storr

3.92 (3708 Reviews)

Psychology Society History

Überblick

Wichtige Erkenntnisse

Autor

Häufige Fragen

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung9Min

Erlebe das Buch durch die Stimme des Autors

Vertiefung42Min

Verwandle Wissen in fesselnde, beispielreiche Erkenntnisse

Lernkarten7 Erkenntnisse

Erfasse Schlüsselideen blitzschnell für effektives Lernen

Spaß20Min

Genieße das Buch auf unterhaltsame und ansprechende Weise

Bestes Zitat aus Selfie

We're experiencing a profound crisis of selfhood, where the fantasy person we're failing to become tortures us psychologically.

Mehr wie dieses

The Narcissism Epidemic

Jean M. Twenge & W. Keith Campbell

20 sources

The Self-Love Revolution: Breaking Free From Perfectionism

Selfless: The Social Creation of “You”

Brian Lowery

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self

Carl Trueman

The Perfection Trap

Thomas Curran

19 sources

Rebuilding Your Self-Image Blueprint

Unlearning Shame

Devon Price

22 sources

The Self-Friendship Revolution: Getting Along with Yourself

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

When Your Reflection Becomes Your Prison

00:00

Have you ever spent hours crafting the perfect Instagram caption, only to delete the entire post because it didn't get enough likes in the first five minutes? Or felt your stomach drop when scrolling through a friend's vacation photos, suddenly convinced your own life is painfully ordinary? We live in an age where a 22-year-old takes selfies at her godmother's funeral because, as she explains without irony, "I look good. It's always appropriate." This isn't just vanity run amok-it's the symptom of something far more dangerous. Behind the filters and carefully curated feeds lies a mental health crisis decades in the making, where the gap between who we are and who we think we should be has become a chasm swallowing lives whole. Hospital admissions for eating disorders among young women jumped 172% in a single decade. Self-harm reports doubled. Young men increasingly suffer from muscle dysmorphia, injecting steroids to match impossible ideals. The woman who woke up furious in a hospital bed after swallowing ninety pills had spent her entire life trying to become the person others expected-first her mother's version, then her husband's-always falling devastatingly short. Her story reveals the lethal endpoint of what researchers call "social perfectionism": the belief that others demand perfection from you, making your worth entirely dependent on fulfilling impossible roles. We're not just dealing with low self-esteem anymore. We're watching people destroy themselves trying to become fantasy versions that can never exist.

The Tribal Brain That Won't Let Us Rest

The Cultural Waters We Swim In

From Glory to Guilt: Christianity's Transformation

The American Self: Unlimited Potential, Unlimited Pressure

The Myth That's Killing Us

Breaking Free: Living With Your Actual Self

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung

Zusammenfassung von Selfie in 9 Minuten

Zerlegen Sie die Kernideen von Selfie in leicht verständliche Punkte, um zu verstehen, wie innovative Teams kreieren, zusammenarbeiten und wachsen.

00:00

Lernkarten

Top 7 Erkenntnisse aus Selfie auf einen Blick

Destillieren Sie Selfie in schnelle Gedächtnisstützen, die die Schlüsselprinzipien von Offenheit, Teamarbeit und kreativer Resilienz hervorheben.

Spaß

Lektionen aus Selfie erzählt in 20-Min Geschichten

Erleben Sie Selfie durch lebhafte Erzählungen, die Innovationslektionen in unvergessliche und anwendbare Momente verwandeln.

00:00

Personalisieren

Erleben Sie Selfie auf Ihre Weise.

Fragen Sie alles, wählen Sie die Stimme und erschaffen Sie gemeinsam Erkenntnisse, die wirklich bei Ihnen ankommen.

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Starten Sie Ihre Lernreise, jetzt

Diese Zusammenfassung herunterladen

Erhalten Sie die Selfie-Zusammenfassung als kostenloses PDF oder EPUB. Drucken Sie es aus oder lesen Sie es jederzeit offline.

Selfie by Will Storr Summary

Overview of Selfie

Similar books to Selfie

Bestes Zitat aus Selfie

Kurzfassungs-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Selfie in 9 Minuten

Lernkarten-Modus - Top 7 Erkenntnisse aus Selfie auf einen Blick

Spaß-Modus - Lektionen aus Selfie erzählt in 20-Min Geschichten

Personalisieren-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Selfie in 0 Minuten

Selfie PDF herunterladen

Selfie EPUB herunterladen

Selfie by Will Storr Summary

Overview of Selfie

Similar books to Selfie

Bestes Zitat aus Selfie

Mehr wie dieses

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

When Your Reflection Becomes Your Prison

The Tribal Brain That Won't Let Us Rest

The Cultural Waters We Swim In

From Glory to Guilt: Christianity's Transformation

The American Self: Unlimited Potential, Unlimited Pressure

The Myth That's Killing Us

Breaking Free: Living With Your Actual Self

Kurzfassungs-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Selfie in 9 Minuten

Lernkarten-Modus - Top 7 Erkenntnisse aus Selfie auf einen Blick

Spaß-Modus - Lektionen aus Selfie erzählt in 20-Min Geschichten

Personalisieren-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Selfie in 0 Minuten

Selfie PDF herunterladen

Selfie EPUB herunterladen

Mehr wie dieses

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

When Your Reflection Becomes Your Prison

The Tribal Brain That Won't Let Us Rest

The Cultural Waters We Swim In

From Glory to Guilt: Christianity's Transformation

The American Self: Unlimited Potential, Unlimited Pressure

The Myth That's Killing Us

Breaking Free: Living With Your Actual Self