100%. I am 23 and hoping to have some of my own someday (😂). I am hoping even more-so that I can equip myself to handle issues like this because, even though I grew up w an iPhone in my hand, I never had to navigate the “dehumanizing effects of constant performance” in my pre-teen years and possibly even earlier.
That Gurwinder article was excellent, and definitely an eye-opener. It reminded me a bit of a book I read years back called Disruptive Witness. The author, Alan Noble, wrote a lot about how young people today tend to manufacture their identities instead of drawing identity from Christ. We're so encouraged to become our "authentic selves" that, as you pointed out, we often become caricatures we can't escape.
I think this may be why I hesitate to build an online audience. There's some kind of resistance in me that makes me hold back on practices I know could get more eyes on my writing...perhaps it's a background sense that having an audience means being accountable to their desires, and I don't want to get put in that box. I've been there to an extent, and it's stifling.
This is similar to the "what came first" argument. Are Narcissists created by social media, or is social media the platform of choice for the Narcissist? In my opinion, it is largely the latter, although exceptions can apply. The Narcissist has the need to be the center of attention, and is addicted to the applause of others. Social media is that perfect means to an end. I agree that there is definitely a rise in Narcissism among the young, but Narcissists exist in all age groups.
this is gen-z and younger gen's biggest existential crisis
i think you're right. (and i think it's maybe their parents', too!)
100%. I am 23 and hoping to have some of my own someday (😂). I am hoping even more-so that I can equip myself to handle issues like this because, even though I grew up w an iPhone in my hand, I never had to navigate the “dehumanizing effects of constant performance” in my pre-teen years and possibly even earlier.
I agree brother
I wrote something similar
https://jasperw.substack.com/p/learning
That Gurwinder article was excellent, and definitely an eye-opener. It reminded me a bit of a book I read years back called Disruptive Witness. The author, Alan Noble, wrote a lot about how young people today tend to manufacture their identities instead of drawing identity from Christ. We're so encouraged to become our "authentic selves" that, as you pointed out, we often become caricatures we can't escape.
I think this may be why I hesitate to build an online audience. There's some kind of resistance in me that makes me hold back on practices I know could get more eyes on my writing...perhaps it's a background sense that having an audience means being accountable to their desires, and I don't want to get put in that box. I've been there to an extent, and it's stifling.
This is similar to the "what came first" argument. Are Narcissists created by social media, or is social media the platform of choice for the Narcissist? In my opinion, it is largely the latter, although exceptions can apply. The Narcissist has the need to be the center of attention, and is addicted to the applause of others. Social media is that perfect means to an end. I agree that there is definitely a rise in Narcissism among the young, but Narcissists exist in all age groups.
Excellent observation and VERY IMPORTANT conversation for me to have with the Lord and with others who ACTUALLY know me.