I recently published an article on the benefits of merging AI with personality tests. While writing the article, I began thinking about a quote I once read.
“Personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
In a time long ago, before social media — circa 2005, we primarily expressed our personalities through our interactions in real-world settings – at work, at home, and within our social circles. These interactions, unfiltered and uncurated, provided a genuine reflection of our true selves.
But things have changed.
Enter the new concept of Curated Persona.
- Curated personas: Social media platforms encourage users to present a curated version of themselves, highlighting successful gestures and hiding imperfections.
The rise of social media has dramatically altered the landscape of self-presentation. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter encourage users to curate a carefully crafted online persona, showcasing their “successful gestures” while often concealing imperfections and vulnerabilities.
It’s part of the paradox of aspirational authenticity. And partly to blame for the rise of ostentation as a normal part of today’s work world.
And it’s more than that…
This curated online identity, while potentially appealing, may not always accurately reflect the complexities of an individual’s true personality.
And, I suspect, could in fact warp one’s own self-awareness into believing their curated persona is their true persona.
…just food for thought.