Don't Be Yourself

Introduction

Authenticity Isn’t a Helpful Life Hack

The world worships authenticity—from restaurants offering real Mexican, original Italian, and traditional Chinese food, to ethical baristas grinding single-origin coffee beans, multinational corporations encouraging staff to bring their “whole self to work,” and political elections being won or lost largely based on candidates’ perceived genuineness, or lack thereof.¹ Whether it’s fine art, designer handbags, Hollywood stars, consumer brands, luxury watches, or rare truffles, authenticity augments the value of anything and everything, including humans.²

Parents are nagging their children to always be truthful and honest, while children attempt to scrutinize the genuineness of others, whether ...