social media – Finding Florence

Chasing Inspiration or Chasing Instagram?

written by Reagan McGowan, Kate Cooper, Maggie Baker & Emma Stromberg

This blog feature is an exclusive bonus installment to the Spring 2026 issue of Blending Magazine: Are the Streets still Made for Dreaming?

After you finish reading, be sure to explore the rest of the magazine online—just follow this link to download the full Fall 2025 edition:
https://jschoolfua.com/images/BM/BM_151.pdf

Note: Some interviewees within this article did not provide last names and are identified by first name only.

Florence has long been a city that invites curiosity. Its narrow streets, Renaissance architecture, and centuries of art and history naturally inspire those who walk through it. Traditionally, visitors arrived eager to learn, to wander, and to discover. However today, that sense of exploration often begins long before arrival, through a screen.

This piece began with a simple question: are study abroad students and tourists experiencing Florence for themselves, or are they chasing a version of the city they’ve already seen online? To explore this, conversations were held with locals and visitors across Florence focusing on how social media shapes movement, behavior, and perception within the city.

At a small bar near Piazza Santo Spirito, Marco, a bar owner described a daily routine he has come to expect. Tourists order drinks, often Aperol spritzes, and immediately begin taking tons of pictures of them.

“Every day I see people ordering a spritz and taking five pictures before they even drink it,” he said.

For Marco, the shift is clear. Where visitors once lingered over conversation or asked about local wines, many now seem focused on documenting the moment rather than living in it.

This behavior extends far beyond cafés. Near Ponte Vecchio, Sofia, a jewelry vendor, watches tourists pause in nearly identical spots along the bridge, often for long periods of time.

“Many people come here and say, This is the spot from Instagram,” she explained.

What was once a passageway now becomes a staging ground for recreated photos. Even meals, traditionally a central part of Italian culture, have become part of this visual routine. Giulia, a server at a trattoria near Piazza del Duomo, noted that it is rare for customers to begin eating immediately.

“Before they eat anything, they take pictures,” she said.

She has also noticed that social media influences what people order, with visitors sometimes requesting dishes or drinks they have seen online, rather than asking for local recommendations.

Florence is increasingly navigated not through spontaneous exploration, but through a digital checklist. Visitors move between locations they have already seen online, following paths rather than discovering spots organically. This pattern has physical effects on the city too. Certain locations become densely crowded while others, equally rich in character, remain unseen by many.

Yet, the influence of social media is not entirely negative. For some, it serves as a gateway rather than a limitation. Andrea, who works in a gelato shop near Via dei Neri, explains that many customers discover the shop through Instagram or TikTok.

While some take a quick photo and leave, others stay, ask questions, and engage more deeply.

“It depends on the person… Some come for the photo, but others stay and talk.”

Among study abroad students, there is also an awareness of this dynamic. At Piazzale Michelangelo, Emily, a student from the United States, admits that she had seen the view online before arriving. While she found it just as beautiful in person, she was struck by the crowds.

For locals like Luca, a university student, this shift has subtly changed the atmosphere of the city.

“Sometimes it makes the city feel more like a stage than a real place,” he said, describing how public spaces are increasingly treated as backdrops for photoshoots rather than real places.

And yet, despite these changes, Florence continues to offer moments that resist this pattern. In Piazza della Signoria, street musician Matteo performs for crowds that often begin by filming, but sometimes stay to listen.

“Those moments feel more genuine,” he said. For him, the city’s ability to inspire has not completely disappeared. “Even if people come because of Instagram, once they are here, they still experience the beauty of the city.”

Florence today exists in a space between performance and presence. Social media shapes how people arrive, where they go, and what they prioritize. It creates expectations, and influences behavior. But it does not fully define Florence.

The city still offers something deeper, found not in perfectly framed photos, but in small, unscripted moments: a conversation in broken Italian, a quiet street discovered without intention, a song that makes someone stop and listen.

The question, then, is not simply whether visitors are chasing an Instagram version of Italy. It is whether they allow that version to be the only one they see.

The Digital Pen: How Digital Platforms Shape Our Words and Ideas

written by Madison Baldwin for the course, Writing for Digital Media

In the age of the internet, the digital pen has emerged as a powerful force, shaping the way we communicate, express ourselves, and share ideas. From the humble beginnings of email and online chat rooms, to the wide reach of social media and blogging, digital platforms have become the canvas upon which our words and ideas are painted. However, as we navigate this new world of online communication, we must stop to consider the impact it has on our everyday communication, our thinking, and our society at large.

One of the most distinct aspects of the digital pen’s influence is its power to equalize expression. With the click of a button, digital platforms have given voice to millions who may have otherwise not been seen or heard. Anyone with access to the internet can become a published author, sharing their thoughts and experiences with a global audience. This accessibility has sparked a renaissance of creativity, fostering diverse perspectives and narratives. Bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers have become modern-day storytellers, shaping public discussion and challenging traditional media channels.

However, this new level of expression comes with its own set of challenges. There have been rising concerns about the quality and authenticity of online content. Since publishing is so easily accessible to everyone, it has led to the spread of misinformation, making it challenging to determine fact from fiction. Misinformation spreads like wildfire, amplified by algorithms that prioritize engagement over accuracy. The digital pen, once proclaimed as a tool for empowerment, can also be wielded as a weapon of manipulation and deceit.

Moreover, digital platforms have fundamentally altered the way we interact with language, producing new forms of expression and communication. Emojis, abbreviations, and memes have become integral parts of our online communication, allowing us to convey complex emotions and ideas in a matter of characters. While these innovations can enhance communication in the digital realm, they also risk destroying the depth of human expression. The internet is fundamentally changing the way we write and speak, blurring the lines between formal and informal language and challenging traditional notions of grammar and style.

Furthermore, the monetization of online content has introduced commercial interests into the world of creativity. Influencers and content creators navigate a landscape driven by likes, shares, and sponsorships, sometimes prioritizing popularity over authenticity. The pursuit of virality can compromise artistic integrity, as creators tailor their content to fit the algorithms rather than their own creative vision.

Despite these challenges, the digital pen remains a powerful tool for self-expression and connection. Online communities and social movements have harnessed the power of digital platforms to gain support, raise awareness, and create positive social changes.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, it is imperative that we use the potential of the digital pen to build a more inclusive, equitable, and empathetic world. By discerning credible sources, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and embracing the diversity of voices online, we can use digital platforms to foster genuine connections and collective understanding. In conclusion, the digital pen has revolutionized the way we communicate and create, shaping our words and ideas in ways previously unimaginable.

While it presents opportunities for empowerment and expression, it also poses challenges regarding authenticity, quality, and commercialization. As we continue to navigate this digital frontier, let us approach it with critical thinking, empathy, and responsibility, ensuring that our words and ideas contribute positively to the collective conversation of humanity.