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Merriam-Webster’s phrase of 2023 is “genuine.” It’s the phrase that has piqued best curiosity this 12 months, incomes the best variety of look-ups. And perhaps, at a time that feels freighted with something however optimism, we are able to take coronary heart on this small truth.
With the arrival of Chat GPT, the rising risk of deep fakes, the continuous harassment from fraudulent calls and texts (“Your social insurance coverage quantity has been cancelled” or ‘”Your Aunt Judy is destitute and in pressing want of iTunes present playing cards”) and what can really feel like a relentless barrage of disinformation, perhaps it’s solely pure for the pendulum to swing away from imitators in the direction of one thing extra actual.
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However genuine is a phrase that may be a bit slippery.
I believe we are able to all agree that its clearest utilization entails declaring when one thing, or somebody, is a pretender. Right here, I’m serious about the plain disingenuousness of, say, moccasins bought at a big-box retailer, versus these crafted by Indigenous peoples. One pair is genuine, the opposite a pale — and arguably appropriated — imitation.
Or contemplate actuality tv. Savvy viewers know darn properly there’s nothing genuine in regards to the barrage of exhibits purporting to painting actuality, when what they’re normally spewing (promoting) is only a low cost (or lavish) approximation of “actuality” that’s no nearer to most of our actual lives than clearly fantasist Hollywood movies. Which is exactly why it’s compelling.
I definitely don’t wish to watch somebody cleansing a bathroom, placing away groceries, or sitting studying a e-book. Most of day by day life is much too mundane (one may even say genuine) to seize anybody’s consideration for too lengthy.
In a approach, it’s simpler to outline what isn’t genuine than what really is.
Partly that’s as a result of it’s a phrase that’s being tossed round, nearly ad-nauseam, within the context of “I’m who I’m,” or “being your genuine self.” And it will possibly really feel a bit self-congratulatory, and even performative at instances.
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Like many phrases, it may be co-opted, and may serve to outline its reverse. I’m all the time a bit skeptical when individuals proclaim their very own authenticity. It’s a bit “thou dost protest an excessive amount of.”
Typically genuine can function a guise for laziness, or unwillingness to alter. And that is additionally problematic. Hoisting the mantra “I’m who I’m” is to disclaim alternatives for private progress, and enshrine persona flaws as immutable.
Wouldn’t all of us prefer to imagine that with exhausting work and introspection, we are able to work in the direction of smoothing out our rougher edges, or query long-held beliefs that will have turn into outmoded over time.
In a world the place precise authenticity is tough to search out, there’s something refreshing in figuring out that persons are looking for the true that means of the phrase. From a trusted (learn: genuine) supply.
Funnily sufficient, the phrase of 2022 was “gaslight.” If phrases had color wheels, authenticity could be on the other facet. In 12 quick months, we’ve travelled a great distance, metaphorically talking.
Authenticity is a tough phrase to outline, as a result of it ought to be proclaimed in deed, not phrase. Possibly it’s honest to say we all know it once we see it.
Suzanne Westover is an Ottawa author.
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