In Liu’s, Social Network Profiles as Taste Performances, the author brings up a few points Thorstein Veblen’s makes in Theory of the Leisure Class.
In this piece, Liu notes a particular section of Veblen’s theory which states, “Taste has real social utility because it signals prestige and presents an opportunity for differentiation” (Liu 255). This concept is used as a comparison to users of social media and their taste performance. According to the article, taste performance is the customizable features of one’s profile such as what music, movies, books, etc. they one likes and consumes which are influenced by socioeconomic influences as well as, aesthetic factors (Liu 255). This comparison is interesting because, according to Veblen the concept of taste is a tool people promote and use to get ahead in various ways and settings. What makes this interesting is the appears to be the opposite of how people use taste performance on social media sites, at least to some degree. Sure some user’s may showcase certain interests or certain movies, bands, etc. they like over others to to create an identity, but at the same time, the interests displayed are specifically chosen as a way to find other user’s who are interested in the same things, such as an online community.
“Is Facebook making us more vain?”
As far as why one chooses to display some likes and forego others, it is influenced by society, whether that be socioeconomic or aesthetic purpose, it is undoubtedly influenced by some sort of standard that has been created in one’s surroundings. In the end, taste is a performance put on by everyone, whether that is to showcase “prestige” and promote oneself, or if it is to join a community.
New Media and Technology 