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Authenticity is a Trap - Octopusyarn

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On Congruence, Legibility, and Performing Yourself Well

This post was co-composted with Tutor Vals Once upon a time, I worked for a big tech corporation that encouraged employees to “bring their whole self to work” (we had bean bags and a meditation room, obviously). I felt oppressed in a weird way. People seemed more fake than usual, not less. I now understand why. Striving for authenticity is one of the most insidious and widespread brainworms we are suffering from. “Just be yourself” is up there with “follow your bliss” and “go with the flow”, the unholy trinity of advice that sounds good until you try it. It’s insidious because it doesn’t…

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