There have always been the foolish or maladjusted who have considered themselves outside or above adhering to the accepted behavioral norms of society. The reason for the explosion in this narcissistic exhibitionism is that social media allows for these behaviors to be displayed publicly and almost instantly but without the immediacy of censure…..the Internet and social media provide an anonymous ‘distance’.

Your friend would not strip down to a green thong in a crowded bar, a self absorbed delinquent probably would not tag a natural rock formation in front of a group of onlookers…..but to strip down to ones thong and then instagram it to everyone in that same crowded bar allows for immediacy of contact without eye contact, without the possibility of shame.

Does it matter?
Its probably just an extension of the shallow, fame-thirsting society which we now inhabit.
I admit I like to see my words in ‘print’ here on the NYT comments.
But I, like most others here, are forwarding well thought out premises and contentions (hopefully).
I like to see if others agree with my points or critique them….
There is an intellectual component, an engagement with other anonymous people who care enough to make a comment.
Its a far cry from posting underwear pictures though one could make the argument that we are all posing here in our intellectual thongs. :)