Subrealism: Navigating Identity
in the Digital Age

Exploring the hybridization of our digital and physical selves.

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About Subrealism

Through this innovative framework, we can examine the disjointed identities that define our digital age, where the boundary between online and offline selves fractures under the sheer weight of curated illusions. The research unravels how humanity increasingly succumbs to comforting fictions, shying away from the raw complexity—and beauty—of truth. Drawing from his incisive critique of the intellectual mediocrity that permeates contemporary culture, the author uses this study to uncover the underlying psychological mechanisms that enable individuals to rationalize their detachment from reality, favoring the ease of delusion over the discomfort of self-awareness. This collective dissonance, akin to a form of cognitive distortion, fosters an environment where people absolve themselves of responsibility for their Lives—much like deferring payments on a credit card, assuming their reckoning can always be delayed. Joao Prata's work deconstructs these comforting illusions, compelling individuals to confront the unvarnished realities of their existence.

SUBREALISM offers a lens through which philosophers, academics, and thinkers can explore the sociocultural phenomena that define our hyperconnected era. This perspective not only sheds light on the fragmented nature of modern identity, but also encourages a deeper reflection on the psychological and philosophical dimensions of living in an increasingly mediated society.

The Subrealism Thesis

SUBREALISM explores the ever-shifting boundary between our digital and physical realms, where identities form, fracture, and evolve over time. It examines the binary tension between authenticity and performing for an audience, revealing how digital interactions reshape self-perception. This thesis explores how algorithms, social performance, and the pursuit of visibility redefine the notion of selfhood in today's hyperconnected world.

Key aspects of the thesis include:

  • The Rise of Dual-Self Actualization: As people construct their online personas, they develop two versions of themselves—one shaped by the digital world, the other rooted in real-life experiences.
  • The Algorithmic Mirror: Algorithms don't just decide what content we see—they also reflect and exaggerate certain parts of who we are, quietly altering how we perceive ourselves.
  • The Self as a Perpetual Performance: Online, who we are becomes an ongoing performance, constantly adjusting to meet others' expectations. This fuels a relentless cycle of self-expression, intertwined with the pressure to conform.
  • Reality as a Construct of Visibility: In the digital world, what's visible becomes what's real—what gets seen, liked, and shared takes priority over substance, ultimately defining our sense of reality.
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Upcoming Book

"SUBREALISM: Exploring the Binary Tension of Hypercurated Realities and Authenticity" takes the complex ideas explored in the Subrealism thesis and presents them in an engaging, accessible format for a wider audience. This thought-provoking book provides practical insights and actionable strategies for preserving authenticity and well-being in an era dominated by digital curation and hyperconnectivity.

Chapters include:

  • The Birth of the Digital Self.
  • Reality vs. Hyperreality: Where Do We Draw the Line?
  • The Ethics of Online Persona Creation.
  • Mindfulness in the Age of Information Overload.
  • Reclaiming Authenticity in a World of Filters and Facades.
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