This morning I noticed that my Instagram account had crossed the threshold of 500k, and a feeling I’ve been having more frequently became decidedly pronounced: Who are these people, and what am I doing with them? Please don’t misunderstand, it isn’t that I judge you for following me, I am indeed quite flattered, given the innumerable selection of better photographers than myself. But when I share images from what I consider to be a rather specific life, in a locale that many don’t list among the most picturesque, I can’t help but ask, “Who am I showing this to?” The thoughts continue down a line from there: Who among these people still have Instagram on their phone? Who among them are not 14 years old? What does this growing number represent? What understanding are we gaining about someone else when we follow them on Instagram?

Because let’s face it, it’s more personal than an artist’s body of work. We’re peering into someone’s pocket, and the impulse they have to fetch a device from that small soft spot on their outer leg on any given day, in any personal place, at any odd hour. That’s powerful. That’s strange. So, with this strange occurrence being the best excuse I’ll likely have to be selfish, I would like to ask a question that will make this strange personal/public dance more worthwhile for me. To all those who are actually seeing and reading: Who are you? What is your first name, what defines you, and where do you live? You too, trolls.