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Reframing your world

By Thomas de Zengotita

You were perhaps somewhat surprised, back in 2006, to find your face reflected on the cover of Time magazine as they named you Person of the Year? Well, by 2012 you have grown accustomed to your face—or to the face of some niche-specific someone just like you—featured prominently on the spreads and screens that wallpaper your world. Times are tough, but at least they are all about you. In fact, it sometimes seems as if this mediated depression is dedicated to ensuring that you don’t get, well, depressed.

About that little “something, well, the same thing” gimmick? You see it all the time. It invites you, the reader, to share in the writing process, makes you a co-author. Devices for your promotion have proliferated on every level of public discourse, from stylistic gestures to explicit content. As the real world lost its moorings, the virtual world found its mission. It keeps your attention by paying attention to you. What could be more interesting?

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