<i>to preserve the memory</i><p>And to elevate oneself socially based on select signalling of goods and services consumed, places visited and activities performed.<p>The photos will happily sit on a device, external storage or the printed page for occasional review but let&#x27;s be honest here: it has less worth unless others see it. It&#x27;s not the memory-trigger aspect that&#x27;s so important but the feeling people get from knowing others are admiring what they&#x27;re doing. The act is mostly for signalling.<p>Some people forget the era where you typically didn&#x27;t have a camera everywhere you went, and when you did have a camera you were limited by the amount of film you had. I remember that time and have plenty of vivid memories from it thanks to carrying the best camera I&#x27;ve ever owned: my eyes.<p><i>the cost to the experience is minimal</i><p>For the people capturing the moment perhaps. In Versailles I was whacked in the head with a selfie stick by a pirouetting halfwit. People fumbling with their phones and selfie sticks aren&#x27;t considerate of the people around them.