Our world is like one big bubble bath. Each continent is its own cluster of bubble countries made up of smaller bubble regions, states, counties, neighborhoods, homes, and eventually individuals suffocated by over-fragranced suds. The biggest issue with our society is that many people are unable to break out of their bubbles. Close-mindedness leads to intolerance, a characteristic that can have devastating effects, that has had devastating effects nation-wide throughout history and today. We are the only ones who can stop it, but how?
Some mobile apps have taken downward spirals because of new, unwanted features included in their software updates. Fortunately, Snapchat is not one of them, only making changes for the better of their users, dare I say for the better of society.
Like any other mainstream app, Snapchat has its fair share of lovers and haters. We made bets with our friends on how long it would last until the next big thing came along, however, the media sharing app has been going strong since its initial release in 2011. The app has had it's ups and downs, good and bad publicity coming and going. It got slammed with legal issues in regards to sexting, parents nervous that their teens were using the app to share naked photos (sorry, but let's be real-- they were). But once everyone got over that, it continued to be used in the way it was intended! Snapchat provides a fun, fast way to share photos and videos without a commitment of the media's storage in the sender or recipient's mobile device.
Alongside sending hideously ugly triple chin selfies and drawing works of art atop photos, the most amazing concept that Snapchat has brought us is the Live Story feed. Users who have their location services turned on are able to contribute to Live Story events that are taking place near them. This feature allows snapchatters to view events or even normal days in locations across the globe. This is where Snapchat has begun to make a truly positive impact on its users.
Some might say this is a stretch, but I do believe that Snapchat's addition of Live Stories around the world have helped to make us a more culturally aware, tolerant, and accepting society. Granted, The Hamptons Live Story ends up being the same crowd lying on the beach, boating, and clinking mimosas at fancy brunches, day after day all summer long, but Live Stories at least allow us to view what's happening outside of our own bubbles. I’ve gotten a taste of what it’s like to be at music festivals in Delaware, Chicago, California, Tennessee; religious ceremonies and worship traditions all over the Middle East; bustling streets and nightlife all across Europe, Africa, Asia, and even down under.
The Live Stories expose us to the people and places that we are likely to forget exist while preoccupied living our sudsy everyday lives. It can be hard to have a strong respect and appreciation for a group of people who's culture you have never truly seen or experienced. Though it shouldn't be that way, that tends to be the case (i.e. most human rights issues and international conflicts). After viewing the Live Ramadan Story in Mecca, I had more of an understanding of the Muslim community. That is not to say that I disrespected or didn't appreciate their practices beforehand. Instead, I felt a stronger human connection with people nearly 7,000 miles across the world from me. From a first person perspective I saw hundreds of people breaking their fast. Young people my own age were confident and prideful of their faith and eager to share it with the world. It was an eye-opening and beautiful sight.
If you're not already, try to get your mind out of your own bubble and take advantage of these culturally various Live Stories. Snapchat has given us a way to not only share laughs, but to share lives.
