Being authentic... ( Archived) (55)

Something dawned on me recently about authenticity...
There was this underlying thought of equating authenticity to something/someone unadulterated. In its original most natrual form. Free from artifice ...

What dawned on me is that for humans, being authentic is just accepting and being 'as one is' including one's needs, flaws etc. But also including and loving ones needs for being a particular way, wearing a particular type of clothes or make up or brand. So long as it's a representation of who one feels one is to the core ... one is authencally 'representing' onesel. As one is being true and kind to oneself on many levels we can be who we are



What is your idea of 'authenticity' when it comes to humans?

It is my humble opinion that many people cannot define themselves in any way. They are strictly the product of their environment, and cannot go beyond that bounds. Culture plays a part in that, as does media--since the invention of social systems, radio, and printing presses. There is a compelling need, within some people, to conform to society at all costs. Many of these people can function normally, until you throw a live chicken into their backyard. Then they fall apart. Prejudice, then, would seem to be a result of such inexplicable behavior (though there are more reasons, to be sure).

So, take the test. Go one day, in your normal environment, without "social media", without TV, without telephone, without music, and see if you nearly go out of mind. If you do, you are excessively compelled by external social pressures, and you cannot resist them--or to steal a line from Patrick Stewart, in a synthetic Borg monotone, "Resistance is futile." If your eyes, ears, and mouth, cannot stop the constant flow of external input from the outside, it is likely that it is due to the complete absence of anything on the inside that will take its place when those other things are gone. Even reading a book, might be considered social pressure, unless it is strictly scientific (ie, containing no hint of Atheism). If you fall asleep when attempting such things, you are certainly in the "danger zone".

The "live chicken" mentioned above is metaphorical. No chickens were harmed in the writing of this response. (If you are comforted by this last paragraph, you have failed the test.)

Shalom,
Iyyov

Thanks for your contribution. How does apply or not to yourself?

In my personal case I mostly don't do social media and not owned a TV in many years. The only live chickens in my life are those that lay eggs

Thanks for your contribution Pedro

And what is it that 'we get'?