The Psychology of Authenticity

[@mjinba07]

No mention here about how authenticity is rewarding - an abiding sense of peace with oneself, increased confidence, armor against manipulation, being better grounded in realism, increased acceptance of others, better readiness to make decisions, greater openness to the future. For as much as there may be fear of rejection, there also develops, generally, greater acceptance by others who sense the authenticity and find it reassuring. Your friends will be truer friends.

[@LouYorkLife]

PREACH

[@kubasniak]

Exactly. Being a conformist and inauthentic made me suffer a lot in my life.

[@TheDarkOne9942]

Maybe because those things happen in 1% of every generation.

[@soulgoddess6358]

Wow ! That Was divine timing for me to read your comment! I hope that you see this even though it was a year ago. But I completely agree with you! I am literally in that type of energy right now... i'm on that kind of path!!! And it is very mystical, it is re confirming to me all the time that i am exactly where i need to be at that exact moment it is very loving and genuine and true. Life is moving in more of a flow and I feel connected to the universe on such a deep Soul level But you are correct! I haven't even finished the video yet or barely started it LOL but I had to write to you because I hope that that message got through to some people. Because I understand it to his deepest core. So thank you for being YOU! U rock! I hope life is treating you well! Sending u positive energy and many blessings xoxo Lindsey

[@lzvezdev3402]

That was beautiful to read! Thanks

[@joelfooxiangjie]

The authentic self is the self that you're willing to suffer for, to die for. Authenticity isn't bliss - it's sacrifice. Truth above all, even in the face of death.

[@chavaliernsharps159]

Joel Foo yes!

[@MrBluntizy]

Duuuuude

[@johnmiller7453]

You're a real clown Joel.

[@markbroad119]

Quite profound, profoundly correct.

[@LucBoeren]

Well that does presuppose your current self knows exactly what he's willing to suffer for. Take members of ISIS. I think a lot of them are truly convinced and willing to suffer for this cause, even though when placed in different context might learn the shortcomings of that particular view in time and upgrade their view towards something more benign, let's say play the piano; while after having lived thát particular conviction, and being suddenly transported in yet another context, find out that playing the piano wasn't their endgoal after all. It was actually helping old ladies walk across the street

[@siddsen95]

This channel is a gift. The creator of this channel is a gift. And the countless of great minds which made it possible are gifts.

[@satnamo]

Today is also a gift. Why ? It is the present day.

[@ryanrohn4561]

Exactly. Lately it has been my only source of truth. I try not to spend too much time on Utube, but this channel is like sustainance for the soul, and I'll keep watching as long as it's on. It's surreal and often eerie just how detached most people are from themselves and I feel suffocated by it and have to be alone more than I care to. But at the moment, I am encouraged and ready to go out and face the sheep. Thank you

[@MrBuzzzzz]

I have to agree with you 100%. The world needs far more of this and far less of the idiotic garbage that has permeated every aspect of the internet. The thinkers of this planet deserve to have a wide selection of intellectual content like this and I am also grateful for the work this person puts in. Cheers.

[@sandhiyukta9661]

GIFT GIFT GIFT! You are gift. On serious note, you are right!

[@dennislaishram2516]

Cool

[@alexmeyer6958]

“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”-Hendrix

[@elijahcaudle7365]

Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley got it right me man

[@IIXxx_juliet_xxXII]

😍

[@PolishBehemoth]

Honestly thats the same thing that drug addicts say. Im not buying it. Hendrix died a horrible death by choking on alcohol vomit. At the end od the day a friend has to save a friend from doing somethinf stupid.

[@Shamshiro]

@@PolishBehemoth - But it's their choice. Others can go high and low to help them get over their addiction, but in the end it's up to them whether or not they want to keep using that reused syringe. Just ask the junkies in current-day California to see it happen in real time.

[@WhoToldYouThis]

At times i wonder why it is so difficult to speak of these things with average people, everyone thinks you are crazy or naive but yet they all live unhappy lives and blame each other for every problem they face. I've tried helping people see a different perspective but every single time it feels like I lose more within myself than they gain at all. A conversation with the average person is like talking to walls that insult and laugh at you.

[@darkangelkate3950]

Or they do not listen or see you.

[@MayaramSharma-vl1sn]

I understand. You do you. Keep expanding and live. They will learn just by seeing you if they are interested at all.

[@darkangelkate3950]

Yes. And when you are an old single woman, it is impossible. I do not have a voice even with those I know love me.

[@Plutão-r3h]

Same here

[@That_Freedom_Guy]

In my experience, we all ignore, ridicule or attack others we disagree with. Also the ego cannot afford truth. Truth is it's end because it's all fiction. Ego hates truth.

[@DrStevenPain]

Long time viewer. First time commenting. I sincerely appreciate your content and all of the hard work you put into each video. Your videos have helped give me peace of mind on my darker days. Thank you.

[@MandoDallas]

Wish you the best on your journey. ✌🏽

[@ruslanuchan8880]

Wish you good luck too, buddy

[@ShanOakley]

I know man, this channel is some real good stuff. Best to you!

[@hamzalaj8748]

Your work is truly a masterpiece. In a world full of darkness and craziness, your videos are a source of illumination. In a single 10 min video, we are able to tap the minds of many of the thorough intellectuals and free thinkers. Thanks to your sincere efforts. Keep up the good work.

[@damayantibahar7613]

This channel really helps me to answer my questions about what can be the reasons for the way I am. Thank you so much

[@cat_demon4405]

One of the most difficult things to do is to live in utmost truth...

[@christdiedforoursins8180]

Thats why people dont like jesus and we killed him because he is the truth .

[@purple_siren_8624]

My escapism feels attacked

[@I_Ace]

The difficult path is the most rewarding and meaningful!

[@PolishBehemoth]

Tell this to a woman! The insecurities will come right out!

[@KolkhozWoman]

There's a song by Alice in Chains called 'Nutshell' and I listened to it as a teenager a million times but never quite really understood it. But the more time passes by, the more I wrap my head around its meaning. 'I fight this battle all alone' and those last verses, 'If I can't be my own, I'd feel better dead', haunt me

[@khairunishakhetikheti3273]

No tne maru bthu devu padse f Jesus maru bhvisya6 beta mne dya de khuda bhli kare hu Ashmore shn nhi kario sku tene mari me Otm hajrhi u padse ketls ti. E itejar kari ne aa divas a viyo beta AMANIDR snjya kar to pN tRi dikari no bap 7 na beta E YTARI MNA MANNER TODI NAKJSE ek are sa. J vi pa hhu taru kare6 nleta taro .an sMe jo te I aa.aa6 je tari .Anne tklif pde to tne pann thya na nkhu jani e tu nthi aa to taro te .on since bha e aasan kar dyas e the. Ara mnamse possible ne lkhti jyas aetli j je AJ get him bhu ti.e thi lady chhu e lost thya jav hhu pan Alistair nhi adult iy chhodi dyas smjto aava lChio sbk mle ji n bhr na KHIYU NTHI AAJ MARA KAGR LKHI RAKHU CHHU AAPO LISTED AAPE AAMEN Padeswood ok

[@Blackout0900]

I feel you bro

[@gooch2353]

That song brings out every bit of negative emotions I have in me every time. I've even meaning to karaoke it at some point. Bucket list... I've had enough practice I should do alright 😊

[@adamf.4823]

This is one of the best channels on KZbin. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@nbultman_art]

I believe that inauthenticity is also caused by not taking into account the stimulus your body tells you. Elliot hulse talks about the limits of rationality and the importance of allowing your deepest intuitions to guide your unique path. It’s easy for us to build character armor instead of developing towards what is blocking your path forward

[@Ace0_-]

This channel just helped me one step closer to beating the maze of my mind, it’s all an illusion, it is weakness of ones self, I constantly grasped any thought that came across my mind and let it suffocate my physce, this guys a angel.

[@christinacatalano]

Authenticity allows all parties to be themselves. That freedom in itself, even just for a few hours, is like a jolt of Red Bull to the soul. I used to feel used for my quirks; how could we all have so much fun and adventure together yet I’m still tossed aside? What I once thought was a trait that meant I was never good enough, I now seek to give out. Seeing others be themselves is incredible.

[@warriorbaggie]

I can't explain how helpful this video has been to help make sense of this continuous internal fight and feeling of misplacement my whole life. thank you.

[@somethingyousaid5059]

The narrator's voice in these videos is pleasing. For someone like me that can make all the difference between watching a video and not watching one.

[@AmericanActionReport]

Thank you very much. I'm revising a novel and for the longest time I've been puzzling over the main character's character arc. I discovered it in your video: Her "want" is to be accepted by the others around her; her "need" is to accept herself for her differences.

[@soulgoddess6358]

Jerry Mills love that

[@wendypoet6487]

I truly believe that inauthentic people can't be true artists, poets, writers etc. One cannot be afraid of confronting his true self in order to be able to create art, since we create art to express ourselves.

[@alanhehe4508]

The best channel on KZbin, with its pulse firmly on the zeitgeist, and providing mental medicine for our sick and sycophantic society. Thank you. I share almost all of your videos, though few are willing to listen and, more importantly, think.

[@dennisblijleven9697]

This channel always speak to my heart. Every sentence is just so perfect.

[@Mr.Honest247]

I'm always getting hated on and criticized but I'm so glad I'm one of those people who is themselves despite the conflict I get from others. It IS a never ending fight and at times I get tired of the conflict and just wanna give in to avoid trouble... But it feels so fake to do that. It's not worth the price of who I am. There truly is a reward for those who are ballsy enough to be 100% themselves.

[@Nosgraph]

This channel makes me cry more often than most movies

[@saturniansun8110]

This is about honesty.. Not all will accept us or love us... Be of good cheer....

[@johnstockwellmajorsmedleyb1214]

saturnian sun The greatest thing about honesty is it cannot be smashed broken crushed or truly eliminated. Truth goes on forever and is possibly the only thing we posses of our consciousness that we can understand and define into our reality. The masses have sheepled to the point most cannot remember what truth feels like. Some say the truth hurts. I say that truth is not painful, man is painful to himself and others and if pain is not felt at the time injustice or imorality is commited then it must be felt when the smoke clears and truth crushes lies, deceptions, etc. The impact should be embraced, it is real, truth is reality and those who live in ignorance to it may be the single most destructive horror of humanity.

[@jennifercooper3547]

Being authentic is being able to walk you talk, and it is beautiful.

[@cedric2452]

Good choice of paintings

[@Dphgtp00]

I love this comment

[@shorx9199]

Does anyone know the painting at 4:12 . The top hat one. It really encompasses and illustrates well the subject of conformity.

[@paupau6907]

@@shorx9199 From Copenhagen Stock Exchange. Artist Peder Severin Krøyer

[@minnowpanda304]

Defend

[@LouYorkLife]

This has to be one of the best videos, as it is truly the key to self discovery, purpose and action. It requires hell and sacrifice, but nothing good or great comes without pain. If you can be your real self everyday and what is in your head is the person outside of your head AND you live that life following the golden rule, that is priceless. Something worth fighting for, yet many, many people rather choose not to fight for their authentic self, which brings the necessary discussion on psychology, society and social engineering of a people and/or nation that results in being one's own greatest enemy in the majority of people. Your videos discuss these topics in full and provide the solutions as well. Thank you for all your hard work and forcing the strong to look within and fight for their own solutions through accountability and action. Many blessings to you.

[@soulgoddess6358]

DaFamTV ditto

[@julianalstin7245]

Your video's are a tremendous resource and deep insight into what's happening to the world in 2020/21..... and how it has so easily been achieved.

[@SuperBhavanishankar]

"It is very easy to conform to what your society or your parents and teachers tell you. That is a *safe* and *easy* way of existing; but that is not living... To live is to find out for yourself what is true." - Jiddu Krishnamurti ❤️

[@MayaramSharma-vl1sn]

How's your journey going on? Where have you reached in your findings ?

[@SuperBhavanishankar]

@@MayaramSharma-vl1sn i reach to point i can have hope on leading a more fulfulling life. i recently read an article by "Big Think" by which once again proving that spirituality or spirirual science is correct as it says scientist agree with eastern philosophy that there is no 'self'. it is the left hemisphere of brain constantly sending signals to right hemisphere convincing the illusion to be true. it is also proved based on many experiments as well. i believe that and understood that self is illusion as i was able to experiment it my own self clearly. however i think it takes time, patience and effort to practise mindfulness because whenever i stop being mindful i become back to being an emotional being displaying unnecessary things like anger, hate.

[@davidrice7969]

The content on this channel is pure gold .This is better (for me at least) than paying a therapist for perspective on life.

[@Logan1428]

Thank you to whoever is involved in making these videos and this channel happen.

[@giulianobilofioravanti560]

Your channel is bringing me back to *actual* life.

[@Prodrive1]

Superb channel. Everyone on Earth needs to hear some of these inspiring lectures.

[@vincev4630]

This channel is THE school every person needs.

[@Curiosity15976]

Another enlightening series of lectures. Emerson would be proud.

[@tensaantares]

Emerson would be proud indeed...one would think.

[@kennethchay1098]

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." RWE

[@smorgan125]

"Insist on yourself. Never imitate..."

[@Curiosity15976]

Daijinryuu Itsutsu Why would ‘one think’? He’d be happy about the encouragement of authenticity.

[@TheDreamDetective888]

The point about confronting death and moreover about the useful anxiety it produces was... profound and valuable.

[@taivanbatariunbold7640]

The Much Needed Wisdom in such times, you sir are doing An Outstanding Job!!!

[@TaunellE]

Seriously, One of the Most Profound and Beautiful things I've ever heard. Thank You. ♡

[@kannmann97]

Your videos frequently help me when i am having a tough day. thank you for enlightening and teaching

[@dehsa38]

I think your assessment of the state of affairs, as the way they are for most people, now, is accurate. The awareness of your spirituality can change that entirely: no more fear of death; realization that everyone IS your mirror-you're not separate; you have infallible back-up for certain success in what you want.

[@heidilitkowitch1604]

Academy of ideas your programs are excellent. Congratulations

[@revspinnaker1932]

So glad I found this channel. Great content and fantastic graphics.

[@brianwilson7497]

Thank you for what you are doing and providing to the world. It is effective, remarkably well-done, and appreciated.

[@Nif3]

Extremely relevant essay, in particular for our current generation, who often resorts to sarcasm and cynicism in order to ironize every a vast majority of their opinions and beliefs, exactly like you described, for fear of facing the consequences of speaking openly and honestly. Thank you for your excellent work!

[@imogen.magenta]

I really like your videos. Unlike many other knowledgeable people you make the ideas easy to understand and I have been able to see how they relate to me personally straight away. They have been very helpful, and seem to provide the exact answers I am seeking at any given time. Thank you.

[@slr-d]

Its a very hard concept to articulate. But ive observed that being sincerely you is like this inner thing that makes your spirit feels good. Literally every time that ive done it, I get this interesting shot of a dopamine feeling. Its an awesome game to play indeed.. And great talk here 👍🏾👍🏾

[@atwaterpub]

I love the use of the paintings and particularly the paintings of Edvard Munch to illustrate your talk.

[@JubsOmega]

I'd just like to say, I wouldn't be here, continuing the gift of life, if it weren't for your channel and "Thoughts on thinking". Thank you so much, for your breakdowns of the real world.

[@Sandro7777777]

These essays/videos are truly remarkable. Keep up the great work!

[@nickmagrick7702]

2:40 this perfectly describes what I chose to do several years ago, in order to be more predictable and understood by society. But at the cost, I no longer enjoy almost any aspects of life. I hold many views that completely alienate me from the whole of society, even my family. So, I chose to hide those parts instead of the vain effort to express it honestly. Ive had to chose to live for meaning because I don't enjoy living anymore, its a reason to live.

[@Volleyballislife1234]

Love your videos. They make my low moments in my day, high. Never stop fighting.

[@GetPsyched]

The self is a concept that is extensive and truly fascinating in psychology. In counselling psychology, I value the concept of the self in both the client (speaking from a place of self-actualisation) and of the therapist (as a person-centred vessel of congruence and the ability to display true empathy to help facilitate positive change in the client). I actually think person-centred theory is a really interesting standpoint to look at the self. Carl Rogers wrote and spoke on it extensively. A brilliant video, thanks for this!

[@stevensbeeco767]

These are phenomenal videos. They articulate a modern understanding of human psychology and tie in directly with what I have learned from religious stories. Keep doing what you are doing and sticking it to Das Man.

[@one23neo]

This is so deep, I'm save it to my Watch Later playlist whilst I digest. Awesome insights

[@EmpressDivineFeminine]

I'm so glad I found this channel. Thank you.

[@bloomfuseproductions]

Best channel anywhere on earth. Period.

[@LS-nn2xl]

I honestly love your videos. I hope you'll still be around when I'm making money one day, because I'd really like to support you...

[@WesleyLeeYang]

The patreon videos are really worth it IMO.

[@binboda]

Only this year, at the age of 24, the word ‘authentic’ started popping up in my thoughts, way before watching your video. As I’m growing up and trying to truly graduate to adulthood, ‘ to be authentic’ is climbing up the list of my priorities, whereas few years ago it wasn’t even important enough to be on that list (the result of which was that I’ve been finding the fakery of my persona increasingly revolting).

[@miguelfrancessanjuan9360]

This channel is a great creation, congratulations and thank you so much!

[@PriyanshuChauhan]

It's just a matter of time when these videos will have millions of views, glad I was among the first few hundreds. Your content is better than School of life.

[@danilevi9251]

Way much better.

[@mr.chuckles2447]

School of Life is propaganda.

[@khairunishakhetikheti3273]

@@danilevi9251 jo pela khu hot ke hu nhi litho dv ti khu to mne khyo hot ke lavi ne hu rakhis to nkhet temne same thing mari help kari6 me notu khu smjiya pisani jrur6 ae pIsNi mne nursing vastu I btav aMhulso mari sathe kyo hto bthu hathma aavi gyu aetle tu mne blemen are 6 te hu nthi I lav mru bthu me dya jya hve kh6 le dur jyre nle va jV chhu pel khhu nhot tu tara hth. a thu nhot arles hve khe6 as Ethiopia e nmle aetele hhve khe6 me pela kje hot to kyare teni help nluto hot ha

[@alejandrocarrillo3376]

I think we are due for another great philosophical mind because we've never had the opportunity to study the minds of the past with no effort. We can gather all the great minds of the past and study them like they are in the room with us. Its amazing how we are in the present shaping the future and this point in time is going to be so important for people to look back at and study

[@ronenkohn2762]

I've been watching this channel's videos here and there since they started being recommended to me, but this is the one that got me to subscribe. Yes - the choice to live as who we are is one we need to re-choose every single day. It isn't easy, but it's essential.

[@extraordinarilyauthenticin8960]

That was amazing! I've been feeling this way for a few month without truly understanding it so this video was very much needed! Thank you so much!!!

[@johnharrison3001]

Beautiful thoughts. Beautiful artworks. Thank you.

[@markd.holloman5187]

The Academy Of Ideas keeps me Grounded.

[@rob-robi]

It's quite fascinating most of the time

[@kimberknutson831]

This is brilliant and profound. Thank you. : )

[@joannchamness3194]

Fresh breath of TRUTH ❤️. I love Authentic 😉

[@camthadog1716]

with that said, i absolutely love these videos. thank you for moving everyone eastward. i just feel stuck out west.

[@bbal781]

Brilliant work, has led me to great personal development, keep it up!

[@knightofdarkness2434]

I practice authenticity by using realistic long conversations with myself about personal problems. It helped me drastically especially knowing your 100% real with oneself, solving problems to the best of your ability, moral by moral. BUT this technique relies heavily on knowing what's right and what's wrong Using this concept has helped me what define what a true self was, just knowing what's right, not just for yourself, but for the environment around you.

[@ajones9907]

i love this channel!

[@evolvingben5917]

Some of the best vids I've ever come across on YT. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@samuelkelly6282]

Love this channel and the perspective you bring.

[@chriscajigan5766]

This is so beautiful, majority of your content is full of new ideas!

[@alexyoungbased]

Beautiful video. Thank you for taking the time to create these.

[@TRMcCoy]

On point! Topic of self while seeking truth....nailed it.😇💙

[@kellyespinoza8855]

Watched two of your videos man you’re like saving my life thank you

[@SeamusODuill]

Hey Great videos, all of them, your work is art, I enjoy, I learn, my beeing gets the authenticity of these works, the art works you chose the convey the messages are very well chosen, edited and of course the pace of your voice over hits the messages home, sincerely, many thanks

[@Cherb123456]

Appreciated to a great extend, thank you!

[@adnannajeeb5619]

All books explicitly quoted: 0:04, 2:40 The Concept of the False Self (D. W. Winnicott) 0:20 Hamlet (William Shakespeare) 1:26 Neurosis and Human Growth (Karen Horney) 1:55 The Gospel of Thomas 3:13, 3:30 Sickness Unto Death (Søren Kierkegaard) 4:40 History of the Concept of Time (Martin Heidegger) 5:55, 6:45 Being and Time (Martin Heidegger) 7:15 A Miscellany (e. e. cummings)

[@MrBuzzzzz]

I just subscribed and I'm very eager to watch your entire library. I am tired of the pathetic content that circulates incessantly and am very impressed with your channel. Thank you for injecting some intellect into the internet.

[@isamuhammad2322]

If I had a million dollars to give you I would. When I have a million to give I’ll give it to you. Never stop doing what your doing. Your benefiting humanity.

[@dookiebutter4947]

In a way, I feel like i have the knowing death is ever present thing down. I was riding my bike down a hill in high school when the front tire randomly decided to come undone due to a bike malfunction, and I went face first in the concrete, and fell unconscious for hours. I've never had a moment really where I haven't thought about possible death that could come from just about any minor daily task, like riding a bike. Hooray for PTSD!

[@akalui007]

Try mdma

[@Fernando-u7g3f]

In a world based on standards, tendency, divide, categorized being authentic is a hard battle to fight

[@GoodfellaSoprano]

And yet here you stand to fight another day

[@Jeremygg-p3q]

But it’s a battle worth fighting for

[@4Mikes4Mindset4]

These days fighting our good fight is needed. Necessary

[@frunkybooii]

One of the best channels on youtube imo. Keep it up 🖒

[@Parallax5x5]

Well articulated and again excellent choice artworks. Cheers

[@rafaellastracom6411]

Excellent video. I forgot who coined the expression, ¨I chose the path least traveled and it has made all the difference¨ but it pertains to this issue succintly. It is choosing life on its impersonal terms and that is the threshold to real freedom.

[@thescapegoatmechanism8704]

Rafael Lastra com Robert Frost :)

[@rafaellastracom6411]

That´s right. Thanks!

[@coreycox2345]

I love "The Road Not Taken." Frost was wicked though. It pertains to the difficulty of this issue succinctly. The choice was not clear, in the end, it seemed like a coin toss. And that has made all the difference. :)

[@polychats5990]

I hope that you don't think this quote supports taking the road that fewer people take will lead to more happiness. The quote is intended to be read sarcastically. Choosing the road less traveled by actually hasn't made much of a difference at all. www.businessinsider.com/frosts-road-not-taken-poem-interpretation-2014-3

[@avi7845]

I don't think you misinterpreted it, a sigh is not indicative of sarcasm or regret. It may simply imply the heaviness experienced on a more lonely but liberating path.

[@MrCman321]

This was a beautiful and poetic video, but it goes against much of the psychological principles I believe in. It is much in-line with the humanist psychologists(Rogers, Maslow). The problem is the self has been a very opaque concept to study. I think whats most important is to have a conception and belief about ones authentic self, whether or not it exists is not important, what's important is pouring energy into making yourself into the person you believe you truly are. But for some people the authentic self might put them into a position where others see them as "das man". It's not necessary to go against society to be authentic all the time.

[@kathyfausett9301]

You can be both social and authentic. Just don't count on being the most popular guy in town.

[@danethenice]

Maybe to be authentic is to act on our moral instinct. We all know when we're speaking our truth and when we're doing what we really want to do or what we think is good. We've all experienced it when we were being authentic and when we were not, and we know the difference.

[@kennashley4821]

Academy of ideas,channel has really dlown up last few years, nice to see

[@payank505]

Thanks. Excellent and very helpful analysis. BTW, your e e cummings quote talks about not Heidegger's "greatly rewarded" but rather "to fight the hardest battle which any human can fight; and never stop fighting." Not much of a "reward" but more the truth, from personal experience.

[@stefangebhard7074]

I studied Existentialism for years, but it wasn't until after I received Christ would that door open to me concerning living an existential life which would make my living authentic. I was able to intellectualize authenticity through reading the existential thinkers, notably Kierkegaard. But to have acquired the experience of being my own individual self through Christ, living that authentic life in contrast to the crowd's expectations of what 'they' wanted 'me' to be as a person, only added color to the reality with which I perceive and currently make my choices within.

[@cobuserasmus6570]

Amazingly welldone with this video

[@nellou5527]

These videos are so beautiful!! The artwork is so amazing!!

[@Technomatical]

Hello Academy of Ideas, I hope you read through your comments every once in a while. I never really leave comments anymore on things, but I thought I'd share my perspective on this stuff. It's long, so I get it if you pass over it. Wouldn't affect me either way. I've always liked your videos, and this video doesn't change that. You all (if it's more than one of you) do a great job at delivering philosophical content effectively. However, I've been feeling recently that a lot of your videos tend to introduce the idea of losing one's true self, and that this is the worst possible fate for an individual. I can't help but think that this is detrimental to many that might watch your content. I mean, just in general, I'm sure there are a lot of subscribers that have depression or anxiety to some degree simply because the rate of people having mental health issues is increasing significantly each year. I myself do deal with depression, add, and possibly some other things tied to those two, and, while I make sure not to identify with these things or always "admit defeat" because of them, I understand that they are very real biologic afflictions that can be limiting or enhancing depending on the context. A lot of the time, watching your videos will help me out of a funk, and I am thankful for that. However, a good bit of times, they'll put me into one, and I will spend time obsessing over acting authentic, preventing me from actually being authentic at all. Not to say it's your fault...it's mine. But I guess I'm saying I can't rely on the content to aid me in being true to myself (but of course, your content isn't catered to JUST me...rightfully so). I don't think it's wrong to view being true to oneself as the highest virtue or one of the highest virtues, but I don't see how someone can realistically or effectively stay true to him or herself if he or she is constantly quivering and scared about losing that true self. Also, what "being true to oneself" REALLY might mean is rarely discussed at all. If it is, it's from a Western standpoint exclusively. No Ram Dass or Alan Watts or Chuang-tse or Buddha? Western culture is brilliant, but only half the world. Let me mention, I think the end of this video was a very good way to top off the subject: It is, in an environmental sense, hard to stay true to ourselves since there is always an external driving force pushing us back into line. The E.E. Cummings quote was very nice. I'm, of course, not trying to police what you should do. I am a fan of your content and a philosophy student myself. I do think, however, that it may benefit those who view your content if you were to consider a more constructive approach to such topics, one that might not spark fear in people. Personally, I don't think pushing fear is any way to lead people, let alone lead oneself. Secondly, I think that viewing life in terms of gaining and losing or fighting and overcoming are highly limiting and fear-inducing outlooks that are a result of our Western culture - a culture that is, arguably, designed to produce people like they do meat instead of to encourage authenticity. Western philosophy seems focused on FIGHTING against these Western values even though there might be a healthier way to treat these issues. Those are my thoughts on the matter. I could be wrong. Thanks for reading. -A viewer

[@M64936]

I'm not trying to invalidate your perspective, but if you find these ideas "fear stimulating" that probably says something more about you than about the ideas or about the intention of the content creators. I don't think they're trying to push fear on people, on the contrary I think they're trying to empower people and wake them up from their slumber. Life is not all candy and games, it is hard, and ideas like this tend to be more realistic than a lot of "pop" self-help stuff that is out there (maybe you would find that more to your liking, however). And secondly if you think depression and other mental "illnesses" have a biological component, you should look into The Myth of Mental Illness by Thomas Szasz.

[@Technomatical]

towardsthesun Hmm. Well I agree with you. I think you misunderstood what I was getting at. I know it isn't the intention of the creators to induce fear, and I made it a point to say that it might just be me. I do think self-help stuff is almost always BS. I'll look into your suggestion, but you should watch Robert Sapolsky on KZbin talking about Depression as being almost completely biological. I never said it had to be candy and games, but I think struggle and overcome is always the answer either. I didn't mean you or the content creators any harm by it. It's the Academy of Ideas...not the academy of one best idea.

[@Technomatical]

towardsthesun I've also read a few papers on mental illness being a misnomer since it is a physical affect, but of the mind...this would make it a biological issue...at least partly.

[@user-ov3qs1hn8k]

I think I understand what you mean, that these videos push values that might not cater to everyones needs.. I think just because this video tells us to be more authentic shouldn't mean we should change in any way the way we act.. After all isn't the way we would act naturally without being influenced by any external factors like these videos our true authenticity? Also I think that true authenticity is not always the right way to go. What I mean is that sometimes it is correct to accept the values that have already been established in a functioning society. In order to become our true self and flourish we have to find our place within these already existing societies.. Many of these societies are constructed in a way to make it seem like there's a good path to follow which has been laid out for you and has people helping you and stopping you from falling of those paths. However somewhere after school and before the next paths, it becomes clear that there is not always anyone to look out for you, and sometimes it can feel really lonely in a big and dangerous world. So in order to stay safe we might sometimes have to give up our "true self" and exchange it for the safety and better future that conformity promises to bring. I agree with you that fear is not a good virtue to lead us. instead I think we should behave the way we naturally do, while making sure we conform with the social norms enough in order to ensure a somewhat promising future which makes us happy to look forward to.

[@munronine7866]

Hey, I kind of agree with your point this video and the last few does incite a bit of anxiousness. All the stuff about death and how we are no good beings pushed around to be the same. Kind of like, incite some fear but leave us with no further leads on how to improve. But I guess the author is just trying to present an idea and stated in the beginning, it is everyone's separate journey if you want to be authentic. I'm sure that uneasiness is telling you need to change in some way and getting down to it will probably be another big hurdle most of us don't feel comfortable with dealing yet. Good luck on your journey!

[@teresaloureiro2525]

1:55 - 2:02 ... the WONDER-FULL ' THOMAS GOSPEL ' ... YES ... so true ... it has transformed me as well ... DEEPLY ...

[@atwaterpub]

Personally, I would prefer a "crossfade transition" between shots instead of the continual "fade to black transition." Not a criticism, but honest feedback. You do great work and thanks for uploading.

[@eolivetalltre9533]

To be authentic to one's true self - is bliss It must never be aloud to be a form of suffering or sacrifice, even in the face of death. Because it is a blessing to become aware of and accept one true self, it is bliss to live life then.

[@sosensualandfree]

This video is pure gold.

[@pilesofpoodles4954]

Such a wonderful channel. More important today than ever.

[@79meh]

I'm deducting that living as your false self must be a major factor in developing both anxiety and depression. All the consequences that it brings... making the wrong friends, feeling inauthentic in speech and appearance, choosing the wrong path in life, creative or artistic blocks... Wow this was very interesting, thank you.