Stop Trying to Be “Authentic”

In this episode of "Unsolicited Advice," Joe Folley critiques the popular self-help concept of "living authentically," particularly the idea of discovering a "true self" that, once found, solves all problems. He argues that this concept, often promoted by self-help books and social media influencers, is overly simplistic and potentially harmful. Drawing on philosophical perspectives from Buddhism, David Hume, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Samoghi Varga, Folley challenges the notion of a fixed, unchanging inner self, advocating instead for an understanding of authenticity as an ongoing aspiration shaped by personal values, environmental influences, and a recognition of one's limitations. He suggests that authenticity should be viewed as a values-based pursuit rather than the discovery of a pre-existing inner self, promoting a more nuanced and responsible approach to personal development. The podcast is sponsored by Ground News, which helps users avoid bias in their news consumption.