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Deluded Authenticity and Social Media
Day 19, Thursday 5th April 2018
Two things happened yesterday which stick in my mind. Firstly, I read a blog post where someone was suggesting that authenticity online could be a social face, an adaptation of our best self for the mass media. Secondly, a woman named Nasim Aghdam walked into YouTube headquarters and tried to kill a lot of people.
First, let’s tackle authenticity. It’s not a new term, it’s founded in Jungian theory around individuation. The easiest way to understand authenticity is an alignment of our inner and outer worlds, it’s when the way we interact with the world is in perfect alignment with our own needs, desires and feelings. Of course, social boundaries still exist, it’s wise not to say “fuck” when meeting the Queen, and most of us have no desire to do so.
If you do find an inner desire to say “fuck” in the Queen’s presence, you might have some anger issues that need addressing. If that anger is towards the monarchy, why are you meeting someone you feel anger towards in the first place? Authenticity would be declining the invitation on the grounds of a severe dislike of the monarchy, and that’s OK. Alternatively, meet her and say fuck, make your protest. But don’t meet her and stifle the inner desire to curse wildly.
