The price of authenticity

Authenticity in our society is becoming rarer than (long pause while I try and think of something appropriately witty...)

I can't think of anything. And I'm extremely disappointed in myself for not coming up with something funny. But this post is about being authentic, sooo....

Moving on. Let's take a look at Facebook as a prime example. Most people post their Farmville scores, the fact that they're happy it's the weekend, pictures of their kids dressed like dinosaurs, and YouTube videos featuring an big, ugly dog cuddling with a baby hamster.

But where's the authenticity?

Now of course you could argue that Facebook isn't the proper outlet for posting authentic, personal information. And I'm totally down with that. But would it hurt? Could it hurt?

There are specific people that I've found from a book they've written, videos they've posted on YouTube, or TED talks where they've been featured. I follow these people and maintain tabs on what they're doing because I like what they say. I like their authenticity. I don't know how they are as people, since I don't know them personally, but they seem to exude an above-average ability to communicate in a way that reaches emotion. And because of that I follow them. Or to say it another way, they lead me.

I hope you're understanding the power of this concept.  

The message that is shared, the philosophy that is expounded on, and the projects they embark on all seem to be born out of their insistent fervor to be authentic -  which shows up in their emotional output.

This is raw. Being authentic always is. It's the opposite of polished and shiny. Rather it is marred with the signature of life which is not always so perfect but is ultimately relate-able.

Speaking of raw and authentic, watch this video. Be forewarned, this guy is pretty raw but his message is pretty compelling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4


So what is the price of authenticity?

Well speaking for myself, it is the cost of being vulnerable. Of bearing my core. Of eschewing logic in favor of communicating from my emotion. It's learning to communicate less about what I know and more about who I am.