Narcissistic or not?
Replies
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If you post lots of physique pics on a general site (not focused on fitness or bodybuilding), don't post much other content, and have lots of friends there that are not into the same hobbies, some of those people will think you're mostly focused on your appearance, which can seem shallow or narcissistic.
I'm not being critical here: I don't think it means you are shallow or narcissistic, it's just that that's a pretty predictable outcome if your physique is the main thing you post about.
Think about it: If I mostly post pictures of my cat**, then followers who are not cat fanciers will probably think I'm a lonely crazy cat lady. It may or may not be true. If I mostly post misleading polemical pseudo-humorous conservative or progressive political memes that demonize those who think differently, people will think I'm an idiot. It may or may not be true. Well, maybe that one would be true.
But you see what I'm saying.
If you want people to think you're a well-rounded person, post a wide variety of things. If you post a very narrow set of things, they'll think you're obsessed with those things.
** ETA: I don't even own a cat.6 -
Just do you pard.2
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I suspect a lot people don't actually want to see most people they know (or don't know) in various states of undress just for the sake of showing other people their body. It's one thing if you were going swimming with someone but that clearly isn't the case here. Also I agree with what Cherimoose said:If someone's main fitness goal is to improve their appearance, that tends to come across differently in photos than someone who's more concerned with functional improvements (strength, health, sports, etc).
I'm someone whose goals who has very functional goals. I want to bike faster, go up steeper hills, and bike for longer. There are people who I will talk to about cycling stuff and there are people who I won't. There are also people who I will talk to about classical music and people I won't talk to about that. If I were to tell my friends who don't care about cycling about some really awesome thing that I accomplished on my bike on a regular basis I can't imagine it would go over super well.
I think too that a lot of people don't actually care what other people look like. I only follow people on instagram as opposed to posting things, but I know I would quickly unfollow someone if they posted pictures of their physique on a regular basis.0 -
It would depend: if you were an arrogant twit in the rest of your life, I would think, "There's x being an arrogant twit again." Otherwise, I would be likely to think "Oh, x is doing well. "1
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You are posting a shirtless pic so people can see what you look like. I mean. To me that screams “look at me look at me!” But then again I guess Instagram is like that in general. It’s promoting a very narcissistic culture. Ps I have Instagram so I’m not trying to make it seem like I’m better than anyone.2
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You are posting a shirtless pic so people can see what you look like. I mean. To me that screams “look at me look at me!” But then again I guess Instagram is like that in general. It’s promoting a very narcissistic culture. Ps I have Instagram so I’m not trying to make it seem like I’m better than anyone.
Social media is narcissistic in general. It's about seeking/getting attention, be it through drama, controversy, shirtless pics, whatever. It's the crux of the Look At Me mentality.5 -
777Gemma888 wrote: »Ok so to help clarify. I am ok with people seeing the pictures, hence why I post them. I don’t post them for validation necessarily. I post them because working out is my hobby and I’m just proud of my hard work!
I know you don't@validation. Caring about their nonsensical thoughts in relation to your progress puts far too much emphasis on their negativity. My 2 cents.
I completely agree, I just never had the intent of displaying arrogance and it kinda makes me disappointed that my picture could display. I was just curious as to what someone generally thinks of a physique picture
I have noticed if you post a before fat picture then you can post any physique picture you want and people will only praise your success. It's when you just post physique pictures that people start criticizing. Isn't that weird/interesting. So my answer is post a before picture with every physique pic and you will only hear good things lol.3 -
You are posting a shirtless pic so people can see what you look like. I mean. To me that screams “look at me look at me!” But then again I guess Instagram is like that in general. It’s promoting a very narcissistic culture. Ps I have Instagram so I’m not trying to make it seem like I’m better than anyone.
Social media is narcissistic in general. It's about seeking/getting attention, be it through drama, controversy, shirtless pics, whatever. It's the crux of the Look At Me mentality.
Very true. Makes me want to delete all social media because I don’t want to be a part of it and so I can focus all my attention on more important things in life. but it does have its benefits like sharing pictures of my kids with family who don’t get to see them often.0 -
I personally think it depends on the site on which you post it. On this site I think it's good. It can be motivational for others and everyone wants to celebrate each other's progress. I think posting it on other social media sites may come across as arrogant and "braggy" but do what you do and forget those that don't think you look great
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Do you think it would be obnoxious to show off your new Ferrari? and post pictures every time you wash it on a sunny afternoon?
Doing the same with a sporty body will get the same reactions from the same people.
ENVY.3 -
There's little point in posting photos of the same Ferrari over and over. It's not as though the car is going to get more beautiful with time. Not to mention that it's basically a vapid status symbol.
Human beings can and do make progress with their bodies, though. Not to mention that improving one's body is beneficial both socially and for functional performance.5 -
There's little point in posting photos of the same Ferrari over and over. It's not as though the car is going to get more beautiful with time. Not to mention that it's basically a vapid status symbol.
Human beings can and do make progress with their bodies, though. Not to mention that improving one's body is beneficial both socially and for functional performance.
Exactly this, a well built physique isn’t the same as a material possession. It reflects hard work and dedication and even mental determination. It could be worse, I could be posting duck face selfies... lol. Completely a joke, if you like duck face selfies, I apologize haha2 -
I have never understood why it's okay to brag about just about anything except the progress you make with your body (after a certain point. You can get away with posting "I lost 20 pounds!" as long as you are still visibly overweight.) People post pictures of their kids, their houses, their cars, graduation photos, new baby, etc., but if you are proud of what you did in the gym, you are a narcissist. Drives me crazy. And it doesn't just apply to flexing in front of the mirror poses. I've had friends get all bent out of shape when I posted a picture of a new pole or silks move I was proud to have finally achieved.3
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Is it actually a benefit socially? I would argue that that while it might be for one segment of people, it isn't for a very large section. His weight and physique are presumably not effecting his ability to be a social human.There's little point in posting photos of the same Ferrari over and over. It's not as though the car is going to get more beautiful with time. Not to mention that it's basically a vapid status symbol.
Human beings can and do make progress with their bodies, though. Not to mention that improving one's body is beneficial both socially and for functional performance.
Functionally? maybe but that's very dependent on what one's functional wants and needs are. I mean he's presumably not actually showing pictures of himself doing things other than standing. No pictures running, biking, climbing, not doing something functional that clearly takes a fair amount of strength and/or flexibility. Standing.
As an aside, if someone were posting pictures of their Ferrari over and over again I would assume that it was essentially a "look how much money I have!" sort of thing.2 -
FYI - involvement in most social media platforms implies a certain amount of narcissism and ego. It requires an inherent assumption/belief that people are interested in you.
Posting any picture of yourself is ego-driven and narcissistic behavior unless it's a group picture that you're trying to share with others or something or unless it's posted for any other specific purpose than "look at me".3 -
Not saying I endorse, but I thought the timing of this showing up in my twitter feed was amusing.
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Why do some individuals perceive one to be a tool for posting a physique picture? I am proud of my own progress and most people are supportive. However, some people always think I’m egotistical or arrogant for doing so. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
keep posting them, I'm totally ok with it LOL 0 -
most narcissists won't question whether or not they are a narcissist. i'd tend to think a narcissist would love the reaction they would get from anyone whether it's negative or positive and would just love the fact that they are the topic and the main focus of conversation. everyone has a small bit of narcissism. it's the full blown narcissistic people you have to look out for.1
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There's little point in posting photos of the same Ferrari over and over. It's not as though the car is going to get more beautiful with time. Not to mention that it's basically a vapid status symbol.
Human beings can and do make progress with their bodies, though. Not to mention that improving one's body is beneficial both socially and for functional performance.
How much noticeable progress do you think a lifter makes in a day or even a week? The reason we take progress pics and compare them months apart is that it becomes impossible to see a day to day difference. So, just like that Ferrari - posting dozens of updates every week has the same effect as that guy posting pics of his car over and over... it's not like there has been significant change. 3
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