A Good Answer. The Quest For Authenticity.

During the past several days I found myself plunging into a rather odd activity. It all started while researching for models of masculine and feminine archetypes. I was to watch a million movies and extract some good representations of men and women that embody innocents, orphans, heroes, caregivers, explorers, rebels, lovers, creators, jesters, wise men or women, magicians and rulers.

But soon, my attention drifted from the sober activity bearing the virtues of academic objectivity. I was now intrigued by the problem of what makes authenticity?

Why? Well, serious shortage of inspiring models.

So, I put my task on hold and started browsing. I searched and searched for anything that would provide insight into what makes a man, a woman, a situation, a discourse, or a belief authentic.

And believe me. There is an acute deficit in unconventional and inspirational out there.

According to the Oxford dictionary, bearer of Truth, authenticity is the quality of being authentic. While authentic is of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine. Made or done in the traditional or original way, or in a way that faithfully resembles an original. Based on facts; accurate or reliable. In existentialist philosophy: relating to or denoting an emotionally appropriate, significant, purposive, and responsible mode of human life.

Verdict: dull.

Getting back to the starting point - the flawless reasoning of Mr. Jung - authenticity is defined in terms of the privilege of a lifetime. The mere personal journey, comprising all sorts of spiritual endeavours and self-awareness struggles. That is, individuation.

Verdict: too fancy.

Additionally, one hardly has the time or availability to embark in such tangled reasoning. One just appreciates. And he does it according to his own belief system, which is not negotiable whatsoever.

There are however some striking personalities. Men and women who somehow succeed in being hugely authentic, in spite of our liking or any individual preference.

I've curated some examples of the kind. For the sake of personal pleasure, and without attaching any claim of universality.

So, authentic is when you dont engage in irrelevant.

Authentic is also when it doesnt matter.

And last but not least, authentic is when you simply brace yourself.

To end with, what I also found is that, strangely, authenticity can also infuriate many.