MANIFESTO OF AUTHENTICITY

The authentic curation of identities on Instagram has increasingly become a challenge due to the creation of photo editing tools, filters and the appeal of having a large amount of followers. Consequently, more people manipulate reality than embrace the unfiltered version of their lives and themselves. With the exception of filters, the inauthenticity of online identities is not because of photo editing features alone, but rather the intent behind using them. For one thing, photo editing tools that allow the change in brightness and contrast, can be used to better represent or capture that essense of what someone sees or feel in the moment. In a sense, these tools present something closer to reality. Moreover, since the camera is a faulty tool, these photo editing tools also help achieve a more authentic perspective. Although complete authenticity is impossible due to practical limitations on social media platforms and external influences that dictate what is acceptable to post at the time, there are ways to curate online media that is mostly authentic to ourselves and what we believe in.

According to Webster and Cambridge’s dictionary definition: Authenticity is the quality of being real or true; true to one’s personality, spirit or character; perceived geninessness. Having an authentic curation of one’s identity can have multiple meanings. For some being authentic is refraining from using apps such as Facetune to gain likes or followers, and for others embracing their own artistic choices rather than following trends on social media. Despite having multiple meanings, the first step in being authentic is being conscious of living in a material world and coming to terms with external forces and pressures that are not apart of one’s self. When people are authentic in their online curation, there will be more perspectives of reality rather than trends that may dictate reality. Through authentic curations, we are exposed to more diverse definitions of beauty and ourselves.