Better than a summary
Selfie summary
How We Became So Self-Obsessed and What It’s Doing to Us
- 4.1 (42 ratings)
- 15 mins
- 6 Key ideas
- Audio & text
No credit card required · Cancel anytime
Selfie by Will Storr explores the roots of Western individualism, how it's shaped by social media, and how our obsession with self-image can lead to disconnection and anxiety. It challenges us to rethink our sense of self and embrace a more empathetic worldview.
Selfie
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key ideas in Selfie
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Key idea 1 of 6
The way we think about our bodies is heavily influenced by the cultures we live in.
What’s the quickest way to feel bad about yourself?
For the author, it’s a look in the mirror. Every time he catches sight of his own reflection, he starts judging his appearance. Why, he wonders, is his stomach so much bigger than it should be? But then again, why shouldn’t it be the size it is – where does the pressure to be slim and toned come from?
Well, our bodily ideals are shaped by the culture we’ve grown up in.
Take weight: A sleek physique is highly prized in the Western world, but that’s not the case everywhere. In Tanzania, for example, the opposite is true. Fat is valued as a symbol of high status.
The Western ideal of the perfect body has a unique history, with roots that stretch all the way back to the earliest European culture: ancient Greece.
Think of the appearance of mythical figures like Hercules or Adonis: they wouldn’t be out of place on the cover of Men’s Health with their chiseled muscles and perfect pelvic v-lines.
That means our ideas about what our perfect selves should look like are still being shaped by the thoughts and beliefs of people who lived more than two-and-a-half-thousand years ago!
But it’s not just body image that’s shaped by culture. The very way we think – our cognition – is also determined by the environment around us.
Most people in the West receive a formal education where they’re taught to analyze and measure information, meaning that they see the world a certain way. As a result, we think that everyone sees things this way, but that’s not the case.
Consider the Himba people of Namibia: They live a semi-nomadic lifestyle completely isolated from the modern world. As they don’t receive a Western education, the Himba consider information differently. When the neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott asked the Himba to analyze the emotional connection to certain sounds, for example, they couldn’t, as Himba culture doesn’t teach that form of thinking.
In short, the way we think about the world is heavily influenced by the culture and society in which we live.
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts
We've teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Selfie about?
Selfie (2017) takes a hard look at today’s internet-driven age of self-obsession. Asking where our ideal of the perfect person came from, acclaimed British journalist Will Storr traces the history of the self from ancient Greece to the social-media-heavy world of selfies and Instagram brunch pics. Along the way, he picks out a multitude of fascinating facts about the political, cultural and economic factors that have shaped the Western world’s notion of who we should be and what we should look like.
Selfie Review
Selfie (2017) explores the roots and consequences of our modern obsession with self-image, uncovering the psychological, cultural, and historical forces that shape our identities. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a thought-provoking analysis of how our obsession with self-image impacts our mental health and well-being.
- The book provides insightful interviews and case studies that shed light on the complex relationship between self and society.
- With its engaging storytelling and nuanced exploration of the selfie phenomenon, the book challenges our assumptions and prompts critical reflection.
Who should read Selfie?
- Fans and foes of social media
- Anyone who’s wondered where our culture’s heading
- History and politics buffs
Categories with Selfie
Book summaries like Selfie
The Big DisconnectCatherine Steiner-AdairProtecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age14 min4.0
The Myth of American InequalityPhil GrammHow Government Biases Policy Debate21 min3.9
Emotional IntelligenceDaniel GolemanRedefining "smart"21 min4.3
Why Do I Keep Doing This?Kati MortonUnlearn the Habits Keeping You Stuck and Unhappy21 min4.6
The Invincible BrainMajid FotuhiThe Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain21 min4.7
Why Taiwan MattersKerry BrownA Short History of a Small Island That Will Dictate Our Future20 min4.6
The Chemistry BookDerek B LoweFrom Gunpowder to Graphene, 250 Milestones in the History of Chemistry38 min4.6
Super NintendoKeza MacDonaldThe Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play20 min4.6
The Madness of BelievingJosh OwensA Memoir from Inside Alex Jones's Conspiracy Machine24 min4.1
Future ForwardGlenn RifkinLeadership Lessons from Patrick McGovern23 min4.8
The Great LevelerWalter ScheidelViolence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century20 min3.6
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is OkayJenny LawsonTips and Tricks That Kept Me Alive, Happy, and Creative17 min4.4
The AI-First CompanyAsh FontanaHow to Compete and Win with Artificial Intelligence16 min3.8
Once Upon a StrangerGillian SandstromThe Science of How Small Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life20 min4.6
Waiting for DawnMarisa Renee LeeLiving with Uncertainty19 min3.6
A History of IranMichael AxworthyEmpire of the Mind22 min4.3
Fully PresentSusan L. Smalley and Diana WinstonThe Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness21 min4.4
Good Habits, Bad HabitsWendy WoodThe Science of Making Positive Changes that Stick17 min4.5
The MediciPaul StrathernGodfathers of the Renaissance23 min4.6
Rich Dad, Poor DadRobert T. KiyosakiWhat the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!29 min4.5
The Scout MindsetJulia GalefWhy Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't28 min4.6
The Neural MindGeorge LakoffHow Brains Think20 min4.5
Eat More, Live WellMegan RossiEnjoy Your Favourite Food and Boost Your Gut Health with The Diversity Diet18 min4.4
The Meaning of Your LifeArthur C. BrooksFinding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness23 min4.6
The Stronger SexStarre VartanWhat Science Tells Us about the Power of the Female Body21 min4.0
MeditationsMarcus AureliusThe stoic thinking of a Philosopher-King10 min4.1
ShiftEthan KrossManaging Your Emotions - So They Don't Manage You22 min4.1
Killing the Rising SunBill O’Reilly and Martin DugardHow America Vanquished World War II Japan 18 min4.3
Grow Or FoldMatt RossTransform Yourself in Midlife and Beyond19 min4.4
After the IdeaJulia AustinWhat It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup15 min4.2
Biohack Your BrainKristen WilleumierHow to Boost Cognitive Health, Performance and Power22 min4.6
5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your LifeBill EddyIdentifying and Dealing with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other High-Conflict Personalities18 min4.3
How Will You Measure Your Life?Clayton M. ChristensenFinding Fulfillment Using Lessons From Some of the World's Greatest Businesses18 min4.1
RoguesPatrick Radden KeefeTrue Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks19 min3.9
The Greatest Salesman in the WorldOg MandinoUnconventional secrets to becoming the best salesperson you can be11 min3.8
The Art of LessMats AlvessonHow to Focus on What Really Matters at Work20 min4.3
Be Your Future Self NowBenjamin HardyThe Science of Intentional Transformation16 min4.5
The Black SwanNassim Nicholas TalebThe Impact of the Highly Improbable18 min4.3
MutinyNoam ScheiberThe Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class20 min2.8
CasteIsabel WilkersonThe Origins of Our Discontents28 min4.5
The New Emotional IntelligenceTravis BradberryMaster your emotional skills for lasting success26 min4.6
A Brief History of ThoughtLuc FerryA Philosophical Guide to Living24 min4.3
Wheat BellyWilliam DavisLose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health18 min4.4
You Coach YouHelen Tupper and Sarah EllisHow to Overcome Challenges at Work and Take Control of Your Career21 min4.4
The 5 AM ClubRobin SharmaOwn Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.22 min4.4
How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or LessNicholas BoothmanMake Instant, Meaningful Connections for Interviewing, Selling, Managing, Pitching31 min4.2
You Only Die OnceJodi WellmanHow to Make It to the End with No Regrets11 min4.4
Unwinding AnxietyJudson BrewerNew Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind29 min4.7
The Rise of SupermanSteven KotlerDecoding The Science of Ultimate Human Performance19 min4.4
Sleep SmarterShawn Stevenson21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success19 min4.5
People ❤️ Blinkist
Become a member of our community of 43 million people
96k ratings
73k ratings
Laura H.
When I saw Blinkist had produced an infographic style Blink for the Rich Dad, Poor Dad book, it was a good reminder of the concepts I loved.
Jonathan A.
Clearly communicates the value proposition of the most popular book summaries and offers a relatable, tangible template that I can use immediately.
Renee D.
I'm absolutely thrilled that Blinkist now offers infographics! I can't get enough of them—they're such a fun and effective way to grasp and remember key points.
People also liked these summaries
Who Rules the World?Noam ChomskyExplore the Hidden Powers That Govern Our World Today18 min4.2
What Do Women Want?Daniel BergnerAdventures in the Science of Female Desire18 min4.0
The Self-Driven ChildWilliam Stixrud and Ned JohnsonThe Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives23 min4.4
The Art of TravelAlain De BottonLearn how to get the most out of your next travel adventure22 min4.0
The Shortest History of EconomicsAndrew LeighExplore Key Economic Moments and Their Impact on Today’s World18 min4.1
In a Good PlaceLeidy KlotzHow the Spaces Where We Live, Work, and Play Can Help Us Thrive21 min4.3
The Inner ClockLynne PeeplesLiving in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms17 min4.2
Never Split the DifferenceChris Voss and Tahl RazNegotiating As If Your Life Depended On It20 min4.4
Happy Ever AfterPaul DolanEscaping The Myth of The Perfect Life21 min3.8
10x Is Easier Than 2xDan Sullivan with Benjamin HardyHow World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less17 min3.9
Open to WorkRyan Roslansky & Aneesh RamanHow to Get Ahead in the Age of AI18 min4.4
HappinessMatthieu RicardA Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill16 min4.4
SizeVaclav SmilHow It Explains the World16 min3.1
The Tao of PhysicsFritjof CapraAn Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism22 min4.3
Success Is a Numbers GameKyle Austin YoungAchieve Bigger Goals by Changing the Odds24 min4.5
The Communist ManifestoKarl Marx and Friedrich EngelsWorkers of the world unite!16 min4.2
To Rescue the American SpiritBret BaierTeddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower25 min
LeviathanThomas Hobbesor the Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil22 min4.5
Lives of the StoicsRyan Holiday and Stephen HanselmanThe Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius28 min4.4
The Asshole Survival GuideRobert I. SuttonHow to Deal With People Who Treat You Like Dirt15 min4.1
Live No LiesJohn Mark ComerRecognize and Resist the Three Enemies That Sabotage Your Peace23 min2.9
The Service OrganizationKate TarlingHow to Deliver and Lead Successful Services, Sustainably17 min4.0
NoiseDaniel KahnemanA Flaw in Human Judgment29 min4.4
Why We Think What We ThinkTuri MuntheThe Unexpected Origins of Our Deepest Beliefs21 min4.4
The High 5 HabitMel RobbinsIt's Time to Cheer for Yourself18 min4.3
How to Raise Successful PeopleEsther WojcickiSimple Lessons for Radical Results21 min4.3
PermanenceLisa BroderickBecome the Person You Want to Be – and Stay That Way20 min4.4
The Longevity ParadoxSteven GundryHow to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age25 min4.5
The Origin of Everyday MoodsRobert E. ThayerManaging Energy, Tension, and Stress29 min4.4
The Magic of Mindful Self-AwarenessMatt TenneyHow to Stop Overthinking, Clear Your Mind, and Be Happy (Almost) All the Time22 min4.5
InspiredMarty CaganHow To Create Products Customers Love17 min4.4
Superhero LeadershipPeter Cuneo & Joe Garner28 Ways to Lead with Courage, Strength, and Compassion16 min4.6
You’re About to Make a Terrible Mistake! Olivier SibonyHow Biases Distort Decision-Making – and What You Can Do To Fight Them27 min4.2
The Myth of NormalGabor Maté with Daniel MatéTrauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture20 min4.6
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from VenusJohn GrayA Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships20 min4.5
For the RecordDavid CameronAn honest account from a prime minister who truly altered his country’s course31 min4.4
10% HappierDan HarrisHow I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress without Losing My Edge and Found Self-Help That Actually Works17 min4.2
QuietSusan CainThe Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking21 min4.3
Super ImmunityJoel FuhrmanThe Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body’s Defenses to Live Longer, Stronger and Disease Free16 min3.9
Bird by BirdAnne LamottSome Instructions on Writing and Life23 min4.5
The Case Against SugarGary TaubesOur love of sugar is killing us15 min4.5
Beyond TidyAnnmarie Brogan and Marie LimpertDeclutter Your Mind and Discover the Magic of Organized Living17 min4.2
DoppelgangerNaomi KleinA Trip into the Mirror World19 min3.8
Your Best Year EverMichael HyattA 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals18 min4.1
Live Life in CrescendoStephen R. Covey and Cynthia Covey HallerYour Most Important Work is Always Ahead of You19 min4.5
Romeo and JulietWilliam ShakespeareThe Tragic Story of Two Star-Crossed Lovers From Feuding Families23 min4.7
Limitless MindJo BoalerLearn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers14 min4.2
The Intimate AnimalJustin R. GarciaThe Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love21 min4.5
A Little LifeHanya YanagiharaAn Epic Novel About Queer Life, Friendship & Human Endurance22 min4.8
The Moral Case for Fossil FuelsAlex EpsteinWhat if using fossil fuels is healthy and moral after all?11 min2.4
Trusted by the world's leading brands
Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Selfie FAQs
What is the main message of Selfie?
The main message of Selfie is exploring the dark side of our obsession with ourselves.
How long does it take to read Selfie?
The reading time for Selfie varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Selfie a good book? Is it worth reading?
Selfie is a thought-provoking book that challenges our self-obsessed culture. It offers valuable insights into the impact of social media on our lives.
Who is the author of Selfie?
The author of Selfie is Will Storr.