The Impossibility of Being Authentic & 7 Rules for life in Profilicity | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The age of authenticity is ending, and we are moving towards a new age called profilicity, where identity is constructed through profiles on social media.

Key Insights

• 🤕 The age of authenticity is coming to an end, and we are entering the age of profilicity.
• 👷 Double bind traps are present in both authenticity and profilicity, highlighting the contradictions and limitations of each mode of identity construction.
• 👻 The transition to profilicity allows for the development of multiple identities and a critical distance from self-images.
• 😫 However, profilicity comes with its own set of challenges, including the commodification of authenticity and the risk of addiction to social validation.
• 🤕 Understanding and navigating the age of profilicity is crucial to cope with the changing dynamics of identity construction in a complex, globalized, and medialized society.
• ❓ The inauthenticity of authenticity becomes more apparent as we transition to profilicity, prompting a shift in our understanding of selfhood and societal norms.

Transcript

a main idea that i've been trying to get across in a few of the videos we did on this channel is that what the philosopher charles taylor has called the age of authenticity is coming to an end this notion of the age of authenticity on the one hand is a good characterization of the western society that we've been inhabiting but on the other hand thi... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the age of authenticity and how does it differ from the new age of profilicity?

The age of authenticity was characterized by individuals breaking free from societal roles to develop their own authentic self. In the age of profilicity, identity is constructed through profiles projected on social media, emphasizing multiple selves and the constant need for validation.

Q: How does the concept of double bind apply to authenticity and profilicity?

Double bind refers to self-contradictory demands that trap individuals without escape. In authenticity, the double bind is evident in the conflicts between societal roles and developing authenticity. In profilicity, the double bind is present in the performative, ideological, and symbolic demands of projecting a unique profile while conforming to non-conformity.

Q: Why is the inauthenticity of authenticity becoming increasingly obvious?

As we become more embedded in the age of authenticity, we can easily recognize the inauthenticity in sincerity and profilicity. This awareness highlights the contradictions and double binds within both modes of identity construction.

Q: How does the transition to profilicity impact individuals and society?

The transition to profilicity offers the opportunity to create multiple identities and distance oneself from self-images. However, it can also lead to obsession with profiles, self-commodification, and addiction to social validation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The 19th and 20th centuries saw a transition from sincerity to authenticity, with literature and philosophy exploring the conflict between societal roles and individual selfhood.

• In the 21st century, we are shifting from authenticity to profilicity, where identity is built through profiles projected on social media.

• The video analysis of Kamala Harris teaching authenticity unintentionally demonstrates the inauthenticity of authenticity through a triple double bind trap.