This was a pleasure to read. To me, the author's aim is to help us question the assumptions that we either take for granted or otherwise cling to as though they were unshakable truths.
Enter "authenticity," a term that most of us define by describing what "it is not." This contrastive definition is a start, but it makes us come up short when it comes time to actually identify what "authenticity" really is, or at least what we mean by it. The truth is, there is no consensus; "authenticity" is subject to personal bias and psychological "framing," a term that describes the application of our preconceptions to the matter at hand.
Essentially, Potter shows us that to define "authenticity" is to negate it. With several examples, he shows how the "authenticity" we end up settling for is a branded product, courtesy of a consumer culture long tweaked to our psychological needs.
What we are really after, according to the author, is distinction--status disguised and marketed as "authenticity." It's sold to us because we want it--and perhaps even need it in such a fashion, so it is not entirely fair to lay the blame on the corporations that are experts at fulfilling our whims.
To me, the search for "authenticity" also masks a search for the self--and identity is a fragile thing. We might get "lost finding ourselves," but I'm not so sure we know what we're looking for to begin with.
In his chapter about politics, for instance, Potter poses one of the best questions of the book: do we genuinely want honesty? I don't think so. I'm reminded of two observations, one by George Carlin made long ago: "If honesty were introduced into politics, the entire system would collapse." The other one is by Ralph Ellison in his novel INVISIBLE MAN: "The more honest I was, the more hated I became."
Sadly, I have to agree. We say we want "authenticity" because psychologically, it fulfills a need (maybe one for moral status/ superiority?)--but when it comes down to it, we feed on stereotypes that satisfy our prejudices. We crave the familiar and love to place other cultures into nice, manageable, "exotic" categories. We might even feel superior if we eat "organic" foods and others are consuming fast food.
True "authenticity" is far too spontaneous to define. When it happens, it just is. It cannot be packaged, labeled, or purchased. That undermines its essence.
If it's status or self-assurance that we seek, then let's be honest--at least with our own mirrors.
Potter has given us an excellent, unpretetnious philosophy book that effectively refers to popular culture to pose relevant questions. This is one worth rereading.
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2011
