OCTOBER 9 — The first one was taken way back in the 19th century. 
Looking at the computer screen at Robert Cornelius’s image, there is a sense of envy.
Here was someone, who without the help of filters, make-up or a sparrow face, took what is being touted as the world’s first selfie.
Maybe it was his hair or pose. 
But Cornelius, who historians surmised must have held the pose for more than a couple of minutes, would have been a poster boy for selfies in this current day.
He looked good. In fact, the guy looked quite ‘hawt’ with his thick mop of hair.
Selfies, as any person in the urban setting will know, has taken the world by storm, showing no sign of going away anytime soon.
Granted selfies have been floating around for the longest time.
Like when you are travelling alone and don’t want to risk asking a stranger to take your photo. What to do? Shoot it yourself. Albeit with a whole lot of adjustment and luck in the days before front cameras.
“I see smiley people” is a thought that pops to mind when looking at social media.
And deservingly or not, the term is already in the dictionary to mean: “A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.”
Recently, of course there is the wefie (same as above but taken with others). Question: if it is two people, wouldn’t that be a twofie?
With anything that has gained a following, the rise of the selfies and wefies has resulted in manufacturers, smartphones or otherwise, scrambling to sell products to the masses.
Better front cameras with wider angles. Check. Multiple filters. Check. Selfie sticks. Check. And of course, something called the selfie hat.
This last invention is where you can slide your phablet onto the rim of the broad rimmed hat and take a selfie.
And yes, if you are a celebrity or someone higher in the social food chain, just do it.
Because it’s cool and increases your popularity rankings.
However, with anything that pops up and starts trending, you will inadvertently get the party poopers.
And this can be seen with articles that say selfies are not only an indication of narcissism and vanity, but are also (cue hushed gasps) linked to various mental disorders.
Psychiatrist Dr David Veal say there is at least one — body dysmorphic disorder — while the Mental Health Department of Thailand says it contributes to a “paralysing lack of confidence”.
These besides the whole question of it turning into an addiction.
Curious to find if all these statements were true and whether this trend was the new spawn of Satan, I asked neighbourhood psychologist Prof Owl for his opinion.
Promptly sniffing (I could’ve sworn he sniggered) at my questions, Prof Owl dismissed that notion.
“There are many exceptions. There is a some form of narcissism in any person. That display of self-importance,” he says.
“Besides, it’s trendy at the moment. Who knows? They may come up with something for your fingers. So you can take photos of yourself simultaneously from
different angles.”
The trend’s popularity, he adds can also be seen in a warm, fuzzy way.
Spreading the feel-good feeling.
“You are keeping a record of that moment. Keep it in your emotional bank account,” he says.
Prof Owl adds the rationale behind it is to deposit feelings like happiness in an “account” which one could readily “pull out” when times ain’t that hunky dory.
“With wefies, the effect is multiplied. It’s shared happiness,” he says.
“Plus you can show the world that the Queen of England photo-bombed your wefie.”
The jury may still be out on selfies and wefies. You can hate them when it appears on your timeline. Or join in the merry band of photo snappers grinning joyfully into the smartphone.
For this year’s personal key performance indicator (KPI), however, I have failed woefully.
While wefies are fun (way too much fun especially at weddings), the monofie is something I have yet to master.
If there is one thing that freezes me in my footsteps is the thought of taking a photo of myself.
A typical attempt has me turning on the smart phone’s front camera and then immediately panicking.
“Where do I look? Why? Why? Why does my face look so huge?”
Trust me, I have concluded a person with short arms and cheeks, that is reminiscent of a chipmunk’s filled with nuts, do not make good selfie subjects.
As a last ditched attempt to improve my KPI, perhaps I will take a colleague’s offer to give a tutorial over drinks (coffee, please).
And if all else fails, perhaps I should just channel Madonna and strike a pose, there’s nothing to it.
*Audrey is news editor of Malay Mail. She can be reached at [email protected]
** This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
