As a part of our practical this week, the class was polled on the various social media platforms we use. The usual big names were listed (Facebook (in particular, Messenger), Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat) and the conversation delved into exploring the reasons why we have become so accustomed to using them. For many, Messenger was the preferential choice as opposed to Facebook, with reasons such as the app’s ease of use and the fact that it removes the ‘bullshit’ of the generic Facebook app (if your newsfeed isn’t 90% pictures of dogs then I can understand this claim). When questioned by Rachel as to why I use Instagram I stopped for a moment and shrugged. I couldn’t answer. “Something to do” offered one of my classmates. I suppose I don’t really have a proper answer; having Instagram in the circles I associated with in high school was just the norm. If you told someone you didn’t have Instagram, the usual response would more than likely be a puzzled “you don’t have Instagram????” The addictive nature of the majority of social networking sites is probably what keeps me going (plus, I love a little photography here and there (who doesn’t?)). I can confidently say I post more on Insta than I do Facebook (sharing has overwhelmed by fb timeline). I guess photos are cooler than words.

During these conversations, the focus drifted towards the phenomenon of Uber. If you know me, you’ll know since moving to Melbourne my catchphrase is very much “Uber is the future” and I will continue to stand by this claim until someone proves it otherwise. Much of this love for Uber came through friends who showed me the light (in this instance, the light represents the amount of money I have saved since signing up for the app), and so far all of my drivers have been respectful and easy going lads, but I had never given much thought to the other side of the argument. While I am sure Uber is safe (I wouldn’t allow myself to use it if I wasn’t completely convinced) the idea surrounding “getting into a car with a stranger” never fully struck me as a worthy justification, but it was interesting to see someone in class who stood by this opinion. For now I am sticking to my Uber catchphrase, a quick skim of the safety section of their website is good enough for me.

Uber is the future.