The Academy Road

The Academy Road

The Academy Road

Recent Recent Stories Stories

Get to Know Jenn Fredrickson Hutchins

January 6, 2024

For the last 25 years, Jenn Fredrickson Hutchins has been an integral part of The Albany Academies. Her tenure started with a paper copy of her resume sent to the address...

The Road to Success of our Middle School Robotics Teams

January 5, 2024

  Both of our middle school robotics teams competed this weekend at the FLL Masterpiece Challenge at Shenendehowa High School. “The Coding Turtles” and “The...

Throwback Thursday

January 4, 2024

Adam Penrose '02, played baseball for The Albany Academies under esteemed Coach Dorwardlt. Now, he follows in his mentor's footsteps as the Varsity baseball head coach, marking...

Snack Shack is Back!

January 3, 2024

Visit the Snack Shack and support the 9th grade's fundraising. Ms. Marchetti's Room (AAG 50-06) E Block Lunch H Block 3:00-3:30

Albany Academy Cadets Suffer Narrow 2-3 Loss to Voorheesville

Albany Academy Cadets Suffer Narrow 2-3 Loss to Voorheesville

September 29, 2023

*Albany, NY* – The Albany Academy Cadets soccer team faced a tough challenge against Voorheesville, resulting in a narrow 2-3 loss. Despite the setback, the team showed...

The Era of Selfies

These days, almost anybody with an Instagram account has, at least once, had the experience of scrolling through their feed, only to be bombarded by endless selfies posted by their peers. While mindlessly scrolling, and perhaps, guiltlessly liking a selfie or two, one can’t help but question, are these posts artistic or narcissistic?

Numerous articles have been published regarding the psychological and artistic components that factor into posting selfies, but does it really have to be that complicated? As teenage girls, or boys, do we really take the time to think about why we are posting a selfie, or do we just snap a picture and share it with the world because we think we look fabulous? Most teenagers, or at least the humble ones, would deny the second reason even though it is often the most valid.

Because we live in a society where physical appearance has a significant impact on teenage lives, we can not help but thrive off of the approval of our peers. With every “like” a selfie receives, it is a slight confidence boost knowing that just one more person approves of the way you look. Any self-respecting teenagers would rather not admit to posting selfies for the validation of those around them, so instead, they will post a selfie with a caption such as, “Lol I hate myself for posting this,” or “Goodbye dignity, hello selfie,” as if that makes it any better.

While posting selfies has been viewed as a method of expressing one’s individualism in an “artsy” manner, it is doubtful that there are any artistic qualities regarding a picture of one’s face with a sappy caption plastered underneath. Even though it is easier to glorify this narcissistic habit by calling it “creative,” the sad reality is, we live in a world, today, where teenagers feel the need to flaunt their physical appearance in order to gain the approval of those around them.