Unravelling the code of the best selfie

The status of the selfie as a social and sociological phenomenon of the 21st century is unassailable. Nothing so defines the smartphone generation as the tendency to see the world as mere backdrops to their own visages. Therefore, serious research into what makes the perfect selfie is practically sine qua non. It is obvious that all selfies are not of the same calibre as they do not always trigger identical avalanches of 'likes' when posted on various social media platforms.

This is probably an emerging cause of personal anxiety and requires urgent alleviating measures. In that context, a young computer science intern's initiative in the US to use artificial intelligence (AI) to rank two million selfies based on followers and 'like' percentages, and use the data to offer tips on what makes the 'perfect' one, is timely indeed. At least now distraught selfie-takers have someone to turn to.

While the caveat to avoid exaggerating head sizes, distorted group selfies and low lighting is understandable, the gender divide in much of the AI advice is curious. Clearly, more information is needed on why women should click themselves at an angle — faces occupying not more than one-third of the frame — with open and preferably long hair, but men should opt for full face, head-and-shoulders shots with hair slicked up and back.…