The Singularity of Mark Zuckerberg

In chapter 5 of the Authenticity Hoax, I explore the relationship between a) the idea of personal authenticity as a situation of complete transparency to the world, where our inner and outer selves are in complete accord, and b) our Oprahfied culture of promiscuous sentimentality, and the trend toward complete disclosure and neglect of privacy online, especially through Facebook.

Facebook and privacy is something that is very much in the news right now, especially given that Mark Zuckerberg himself seems to be waging a one-man jihad against privacy. There has been very little written though that puts it in a proper theoretical framework, though this blog entry does a nice job of setting the table. The very short gist of it is that it is easy for privileged white males like Zuckerberg to advance the idea of the transparent, unitary self, it neglects the way duality, irony, and ambuguity are useful strategies for marginalized and oppressed people.

Very interesting throughout.