opinion
Instagram phenomenon
Vacation photos by the pool – seriously? Why we should all pause for a moment
Holiday photos like this one can be found in abundance on Instagram.
© Fokke Baarssen/ / Picture Alliance
Corona is under control, you can go on vacation again. But with the war in Ukraine, Instagram photos by the pool have rarely been more inappropriate than they are now.
“Oh, it’s so nice by the pool. Greetings from the sun.” The school holidays in Hamburg start on Monday. Many have already traveled to the sun before the continuous rain of the past few weeks, as holiday photos on Instagram prove. A lot of photos. But given the current world situation, the images have a stale aftertaste. The “Look, I’m lying on the beach having a good time” faction also seems to be taking a vacation from empathy and sensitivity.
Yes, life must go on despite the Ukraine crisis. Of course we continue to work, shop and take care of our families. And after so much bad news over the past few days, everyone deserves a bit of escapism. Be it with a beer in the bar or dancing in the club, watching Netflix or on a long-planned vacation. I wholeheartedly wish everyone who is about to start their holidays a nice day and that they can enjoy the time. But please without holiday photos on Instagram.
The fact that I have to constantly show off my personal happiness (or is it showing off?) on social media makes me feel strange. There is war in the middle of Europe. Thousands of people are fleeing to escape Putin’s missiles. And you post photos of the pool from Dubai? Of all things!
Dubai – another “flawless” democracy
The Dubai faction in particular leaves me speechless. I have never been to the United Arab Emirates. From what I hear, it’s supposed to be very nice there. But wouldn’t it be time to question your travel destinations from a political point of view? Sharia law still applies to family law in the Emirates. Homosexuality is illegal and carries the death penalty. A “flawless” democracy. Yes, we know.
In 2017 the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Kyiv. I met a lot of people there. One wrote to me on Facebook on Friday that he was fleeing with his family. When asked if I could help him in any way, he replied: “Please take to the streets and demonstrate against Putin and the war.” I wish I could do more. Maybe it’s my own helplessness that annoys me the most.
Funny holiday photos on Instagram – at least I don’t feel like it. And I think it would do us good to pause for a moment and say: how lucky we are to be able to live in freedom and self-determination. Without a pool.