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The problem with the concept of authenticity is it has to be authentic in relation to something.

For instance, if you are to insist that someone who prioritizes their physical appearance is an inauthentic individual, as many do, you're implicitly saying that an interest in such aesthetic preferences are inherently wrong at some level.

Someone might counter that the motivations behind such preferences are salient. For instance, you might argue that the reasons someone might spend time on their physical appearance is for some kind of social end you disagree with. Perhaps you argue that social relationships should be built upon deep intellectual connection. But then what about people who build it upon shared interest in sports, or video games, or bitcoin? Are those things "shallow" foundations for relationships too, on their own?

It turns out whenever you talk about authenticity of people, there's some kind of preference you're projecting. You're assuming you're the objective one.

To the extent someone might be saying these other people are not authentic humans, and that they're not being their "true" selves, I think people are being misanthropic in a sense.

pam 2y ago

I agree. I’d consider some of my actions of the past shallow and judgemental in ref to my current state. And I’m sure i’ll say the same in the future abt my existing nature. It’s continuous growth. It took me months of long conversations with my brother to differentiate what I believes as god forsaken truth, to looking at something objectively from a political ideology perspective. And yea, going from hardcore engineering to fashion tech - the designers and models i work with have always gone above and beyond. But I think appreciated them more because I was constantly judged and I saw how they were judged. In SEA, manufacturing hype and high religion imposition, yields a lack of appreciation for creative nature infused in politics and economy.

I think there are many elements that defines perspective and authenticity - 1. what you know, 2. your surroundings and 3. what you’ve experienced. Over time I’ve learnt that the first and second is what I can change.

I do think it would be very boring if you an in an echo chamber, or even have a partner that agrees to everything you say instead of having own perspective. But at the same time, being appreciative of someone else who is not like you just takes a diff level of curiosity. But there will always be certain deal breakers depending on your believes at any given time. I think it’s a continuous growth

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