Monday, April 3, 2017

Culture And Profile Pictures

On Facebook, I am connected with several cultural groups. The differences are striking -- and it starts with the profile pictures at the top. In my own culture, there is typically one person in the profile picture, and that is me. And if there is any uncertainty about the profile picture, then it will be cleared up quickly by looking at the page. Now here is the profile picture (right) of a friend in the Pacific. Which one is my friend? Further, this may not be cleared up quickly by looking at the page -- if at all. OBSERVATION: I notice the same tendency, but weaker, in my wife's culture, which is largely Xhosa.

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