The Gray Area with Sean Illing Jia Tolentino on what happens when life is an endless performance
Aug 26, 2019
In this episode, Jia Tolentino, a Staff writer at The New Yorker and author of "Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion," shares her keen insights on how the internet shapes identity. She explores the emotional labor of self-presentation and the blurred lines of authenticity in digital interactions. Discussions highlight the challenges of political engagement in a polarized landscape and critique the superficial nature of online discourse. Tolentino also addresses modern feminism, urging for deeper connections beyond identity politics in a performative world.
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Episode notes
Trick Mirror's Core Themes
- Gia Tolentino's book, Trick Mirror, explores the internet's impact on self-delusion.
- It examines how online platforms distort identity, overvalue opinions, maximize opposition, cheapen solidarity, and destroy scale.
Internet's Business Model: Selfhood
- The internet's business model centers around personal identity, monetizing selfhood.
- Even non-social media users are affected, as online platforms shape our world.
The Accidental Primacy of Identity Online
- The internet didn't intentionally prioritize identity, but it emerged as the most engaging element.
- This prioritization was discovered through experimentation, not central planning.
