The Authenticity Fraud

The word authentic has lost its authenticity and has become a nebulous term of praise, loudly used by those who are in the process of chasing their zeitgeistian jack-o-lanterns. 

The quest for authenticity, in its current configuration, is actually a quest to feel superior to other people, and because everybody has gotten in on this very attractive proposition, this presents a considerable marketing  challenge. As a consequence, we have low sales resistance, no shortage of authenticity-mongers, and lots of niche markets for different manifestations of  superiority. 

—Douglas Wilson, Wordsmithy, 17.

I found this very interesting: a striking and fairly accurate picture of our times.   But I think Wilson oversells the  fraudulence of the situation. I think people are genuinely searching for a way to be sincere and authentic in a world that is impersonal, mechanical, globalized, and incredibly complex. It's hard to live a real, responsible life today.

The only way to be truly authentic is through an authentic relationship with our creator and savior, walking in obedience to him and with love towards others. And it's still really hard. When people miss this true authenticity they often settle for the fraudulent kind. And then authenticity becomes and idol.;