When we look into a mirror, we look at our reflection and study the shape of our body. We are using this as a way of identification. Trying to understand our identity gives birth to our ego, which is also influenced by the image of others. For recognizing our identity we do not need an ego.
Today, however, social networks have ensured that the egos of users grow exponentially with the increasing number of followers. The mirror is being replaced by photos on social networks with digitalisation. We orientate ourselves on what the successful influencers on, for example, Instagram show, because we want to be just as successful. We try to shape our identity in this direction. When we look in the mirror, we want to see exactly what the influencers embody.
But what does that say about us as subjects? According to Lacan, the infant recognises itself as an independent subject in the mirror stage. It no longer exists only as an object or as a "non-self" - the child now has its own consciousness. If we now look at the example with the influencers as a desirable mirror image, the question arises whether a regression is not taking place here: A regression from subject to object.
This phenomenon can also be seen in advertising. Models - and especially women - are more and more presented as objects, for example sex objects. Since the advent of social networks, people have been striving more and more for something other than their own identity. They try to shape their identity and make it something special. They don't want to be one among many, but "the one".
