The term “narcissism” derives from the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. In the wrong hands, Twitter, the micro-blogging service where users broadcast brief thoughts to one another, can be a platform for narcissism via social networking. Self-absorbed Tweeters can jump online and broadcast how many minutes they ran on the treadmill, what they had for lunch or who they are listening to on their iPod.
Miley Cyrus actually closed up her virtual Twitter shop last week with a tweet that alluded to how her new boyfriend, Liam Hemsworth, was not impressed with her constant updates to let the world know about her OMGs, LOLs and WTFs. However, she didn’t go away quietly. Miley rose to new levels of obnoxiousness when she posted a YouTube rap to explain her reasons for leaving Twitter. In the video, Miley raps, “The reasons are simple – I want my private life private – I’m done tryin’ to please.”
After the rap, Miley then took to her web site telling fans that it breaks her “spirit” to hear that they feel neglected since she deleted her Twitter account. Does anyone have a virtual barf bag?
Now why would such a young girl be so incredibly egotistical that she felt the world needed a rap song about why she stopped tweeting? Well, it appears Miley’s father might have something to do with all Miley’s self-aggrandizing. After his daughter signed off Twitter, Billy Ray Cyrus jumped on his Twitter account and begged her to come back tweeting, “Miley. You are a light in a world of darkness. You were born ‘Destiny Hope Cyrus’ for a reason. You can’t leave everyone now. We r counting on u.”
First of all – counting on Miley for what, exactly? Tweets about her PB&J sandwich? (A real Miley tweet, by the way.) Perhaps Billy Ray fears that a Twitterless Miley will be a less popular Miley – after all, when you’re a celebrity, Twitter is like free publicity. That might mean less of a cut for Billy Ray, who has a financial interest in his daughter’s career. Whatever the reason, it is weird that he tweeted his plea to her rather than say, I dunno, talking to her in person or calling her on the telephone like a normal person. The continual tweeting is another way these self-absorbed celebrities draw attention to themselves.
Celebrities have more narcissistic personality traits than the general population, according to a study by Dr. Drew Pinsky and his colleague S. Mark Young.
“Narcissists generally crave attention, are overconfident of their abilities, lack empathy and can evince erratic behavior,” said Pinsky. “However, they are also well-liked, especially on first meeting, are extroverted and perform well in public.”
Is it Miley’s fault that she thinks her little musings are like Plato’s Republic? On one hand, she’s got her father telling her she’s “a light in a world of darkness.” On the other, she’s got millions of tween girls tearing out their hair at the mere sight of her. With all this adoration, how can Miley Cyrus not think she’s the cat’s meow?
Who will be the next celebrity to stop Twittering? Our money’s on Billy Ray Cyrus – but we’ve also got celebrity betting on Lady Gaga, Perez Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Barack Obama, as well as the Twitter king himself, Ashton Kutcher.
