It’s seeking out this supposed authenticity that is in itself “authentic”. Defining one’s role in the world is a pretty base level common function of humanity. The journey is the reward and all that business.
In my old neighborhood, the kids look for authenticity through drug abuse and listening to something called “screamo.”
My working theory is that this behavior is related to their mothers’ search for authenticity at Pier 1 Imports.
i watched a ted talks about how authenticity is a myth. it was just about the smarmiest thing i’ve ever seen, more than 40 straight hours of penn jillette. authenticity as girl seems to notice- is overrated. it’s not the first priority in things.
i wouldn’t go the other way in saying it doesn’t matter. authenticity and honesty are related. if i give you a ring made of pyrite and say it’s gold, that’s unauthentic. nothing i say will make it gold, it doesn’t have the properties of gold, it merely has the outward appearance of gold. we live in a superficial culture, so superficial that authenticity and superficiality are difficult to tell apart.
what does “made in usa” mean? to some people it means more americans have jobs. that may or may not be true. some may think it means “better quality” but that means i can make something cheaper and drive up the price with a label- it’s not authentic even if it’s literally true!
made in usa doesn’t even mean the workers’ conditions were suitable. an undercover tour of a slaughterhouse ought to spoil that illusion. but, when it’s true, it generally means the workers were not child slaves.
only it’s not true. people put “made in the usa” labels on things that were made in geographically foreign territories where child labor exist. yeah, authenticity matters… just not all the time.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Astute as ever. I wish I were able to think aloud of the manner of two characters talking.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:07 am
hence reality TV.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:12 am
It’s seeking out this supposed authenticity that is in itself “authentic”. Defining one’s role in the world is a pretty base level common function of humanity. The journey is the reward and all that business.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Suburban kidz: Teen alcohol abuse is very authentic
June 9th, 2009 at 10:29 am
that last house on the block has a meth lab in it.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:29 am
In my old neighborhood, the kids look for authenticity through drug abuse and listening to something called “screamo.”
My working theory is that this behavior is related to their mothers’ search for authenticity at Pier 1 Imports.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Möbius did it first.
Kris Kross did it to themselves. (sort of)
June 9th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
This one is a classic; a “Cat and Girl” high point.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Claire, can I still buy you an authentic Pabst + shot?
June 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
i watched a ted talks about how authenticity is a myth. it was just about the smarmiest thing i’ve ever seen, more than 40 straight hours of penn jillette. authenticity as girl seems to notice- is overrated. it’s not the first priority in things.
i wouldn’t go the other way in saying it doesn’t matter. authenticity and honesty are related. if i give you a ring made of pyrite and say it’s gold, that’s unauthentic. nothing i say will make it gold, it doesn’t have the properties of gold, it merely has the outward appearance of gold. we live in a superficial culture, so superficial that authenticity and superficiality are difficult to tell apart.
what does “made in usa” mean? to some people it means more americans have jobs. that may or may not be true. some may think it means “better quality” but that means i can make something cheaper and drive up the price with a label- it’s not authentic even if it’s literally true!
made in usa doesn’t even mean the workers’ conditions were suitable. an undercover tour of a slaughterhouse ought to spoil that illusion. but, when it’s true, it generally means the workers were not child slaves.
only it’s not true. people put “made in the usa” labels on things that were made in geographically foreign territories where child labor exist. yeah, authenticity matters… just not all the time.
June 12th, 2009 at 2:55 am
I believe you are following definition 3 of authenticity, while I am committed to discussing definition 2a.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:13 am
Is definition 5 not more essential than 2a? 2a seems a reflection of 5.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Is that a NY subway entrance you snuck into the background of panel 7?
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 pm
5 is so much harder to pin down outside of one’s own head.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
They’re talking about New York City.