Schrodinger’s Cat in Facebook: A Lacanian Perspective

Abstract

Purpose

Facebook has become a phenomenon – used by millions all over the world. Supposedly its purpose is to enable us to keep in touch with our friends, although for some there is a competitive element in collecting as many friends as possible. It is however difficult to believe that anyone has 900 genuine friends! So it is time to question the purpose of Facebook and the socially responsible purpose that it may or may not be fulfilling.

Methodology

A consideration of what is written by many people in their Facebook accounts shows that entries are often like personal musings. So we say things for ourselves – to express our feeling in mottos and references to songs, etc.

Findings

It seems that we are like Schrodingers cat and that we do not exist unless we are observed. So we put ourselves on Facebook to simulate existence. Thus, Facebook seems to have become a Baudrillardian simulacrum – more real than the real.

Implications

According to Jacques Lacan, the world is a mirror on which we express ourselves to ourselves. We use the Lacanian perspective to argue that social media has become the new mirror – easier and less threatening as we do not need interaction, only approval through the like function. This is arguably less challenging – to have a virtual life instead of a real one.

Originality/value

This is problematic, according to Lacanian theory but is a comment on modern society and the problem being caused. The relationship to social responsibility is explained in this chapter.

Citation

Crowther, D. and Seifi, S. (2015), "Schrodinger’s Cat in Facebook: A Lacanian Perspective", Corporate Social Responsibility in the Digital Age (Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2043-052320150000007015