The Rear Window and Social Media

The Rear Window Spying on friends has never been easier thanks to social media. Social media websites such as Facebook and Instagram give you the opportunity to peer into other people’s lives without even having to contact them in person. Sometimes this can get out of hand, leading to voyeurism and stalking. Although “The Rear Window” was produced in 1954, it relates to social media in this day and age when it comes to peering into other people’s lives. L.B. Jefferies is the main character in this story. He is stuck at home due to a broken leg that he got while on the job as a photographer. Due to his boredom from sitting at home all day, he picks up his binoculars and begins to spy on the neighbors. Because of the extreme heat, most of his neighbors have their windows wide open and he finds out many things about his neighbors within a few weeks of sitting at home, even though he never comes in contact with them in person. This is similar to websites such as Facebook and Instagram. While browsing on a person’s page, it is possible to find out tons of information about them. People post pictures of current events they’ve experienced, update their status about anything and everything. They can post many things on their Facebook page “about me”; such as where they live, where they work, what their birthday is and so on. On Reelality.com, there is a quote from the article “Re-viewing Rear Window” that described the relationship between Facebook and “The Rear Window” very well. The article stated that, “as the open windows of the film allow Jeffries to freely, secretly spy upon his neighbors; existences, so too do the status updates, picture uploads and relationship status of the internet’s most used platform. Equally, the choice of the characters within “The Rear Window” to leave their homes and lives open to viewing by unfurling their curtains and drawing their blinds compares to Facebook users; decisions to post personal moments; each has the choice when to