The Fallacy of AuthenticityAlthough authenticity may seem like a straightforward concept, it is most often misconstrued. To be authentic is to be of origin without question; the person or thing is genuine. The idea of authenticity, however, is a fallacy. People who want you to be authentic, want you to be honest and accurately represent who you are. However, when people express and display who they are, they often get judged because people don't agree with your standards or the amount of information you've been given. Therefore, they are asking you to be something you're not while asking you to be real with them. This is then, the opposite of authenticity. Despite this paradox, you can still authentic by being accepting of who you are and what your standards are. "It's understanding not everyone will like you, and being OK with that" (The fallacy of Authenticity). It's about being the REAL you.
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Social Media |
When it comes to social media, authenticity plays a major role. Social media is a tool that many young people use to share their interests, beliefs, and some information about themselves. It acts as a scapegoat for some, and as a platform of expression and connection for others. If someone were to visit your profile page on Instagram or Twitter, they would do so in hopes that they could get a glimpse of who you are and what you stand for. They are looking for definition in your character. However, if you fail to show authenticity on your page, then there is no definition. You have created an image that follows the crowd and can't be independent. There's an app called Beme, which allows social media users to access their "real self." The Beme concept has three premises that explain it's pitch on authentic media: The first is that authentic self-presentation is disrupted, or sabotaged, by two primary evils: self awareness and self awareness of public opinion. The second is that personal authenticity, as measured through your experience of reality, is interrupted when you relate to the image or idea of reality, rather than reality itself. The third is that to "be" authentic, you must stop performing (Why the Hot New Way to Be 'Authentic'). If you know our character, then you shouldn't be swayed by the character of others. Standing firm and believing yourself is the first step towards authenticity. After you have that, then you should relate it to reality as you see it, not how society sees it. If you don't, then you will then be giving up your definition, and then you'll find yourself putting on a show for others in every aspect of your social media life, like Twitter for instance, and you will be playing in the same in-authenticity pool as the rest of you followers.
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Relationships |
This in-authenticity can affect relationships, whether on the friend level, romantic level, or even business level. When someone meets you online, they assume that you'll be the same person when they meet you in person. If all you posted on your page were words to please someone rather than being yourself and including the setbacks in your life, along with your accomplishments, then you didn't define your character. This mutual follower now has a false image of who you are and will be surprised and maybe hurt when they meet the actual you.
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