Be your authentic self
Les hasards heureux de l’escarpolette, Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806)
People are living increasingly synthetic lives. Staring at little screens rather than interacting with the real world. Screens engineered by unscrupulous psychologists to deliver continuous little dopamine shots to keep dull-eyed attention so advertisements can be consumed. Empty calories. Junk food for the mind.
Artificial intelligence is simulated intelligence. Sorta intelligence, but not quite. Sorta like a friend, but not really. Porn is a substitute for sex partners. Social media is a substitute for talking to people. Video gaming is a substitute for playing sports, exploring, even having a job. Don’t mistake easy substitutes for the real thing.
Choose reality. Be yourself. Be your authentic self. Be weird if you’re weird. If people don’t like it, that’s their problem. They are not the friends you want.
Put the screens away. Get out into the real world. You’ll get hurt. Don’t be afraid of getting hurt. Often that will be your own fault, and you’ll learn. And you’ll live a real life, make wonderful memories, and be real.
