Authenticity and happiness

tensions between two contemporary cultural imperatives

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-58442022201pt

Keywords:

Happiness, Authenticity, Subjectivity, Spectacularization, Contemporary cultural practices

Abstract

Reflecting on the characteristics that saturate the subjects of our time, this article seeks to question authenticity and happiness as cultural imperatives. It seeks as well to perceive its connection with cultural practices and its consequences in the process of producing contemporary subjectivities, considering how these ideals can be perceived in the logic of spectacularization. Therefore, this article briefly goes through the economic, socio-cultural and political processes that were the foundation of contemporary subjectivity. Then, it seeks to define the concepts of happiness and authenticity, establishing, along this path, why and how they constitute social obligations. Finally, the spectacularization of life is argued as a consequence of those cultural imperatives and the way in which they are conducted in postmodern western societies.

Author Biographies

  • Lisbeth Araya Jiménez, Universidad de Costa Rica. San José – SJ, Costa Rica, Universidad de Costa Rica. San José – SJ, Costa Rica, Universidad de Costa Rica. San José – SJ, Costa Rica

    She holds a PhD in Communication and Culture from the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ). She also holds MA in Communication and Development and Bachelor degree in Psychology from the UCR. Professor at the Communication School at the Costa Rica University (UCR) since 2007. Researcher at the Communication Research Center and the Education Research Institute. Member of the Rede de Investigadores en los Estudios Socio-Culturales de las Emociones (RENISCE), based in Mexico. She has 20 years of experience in research, planning and project management in the sector of cooperative organizations.

  • Nicole Sanchotene, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brasil, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brasil

    Postdoctoral researcher at the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ), with a scholarship from the Brazilian agency Capes. She holds a PhD in Communication and Culture (2022) from the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ), with a doctoral exchange period (scholarship Capes-PrInt) at the Laboratoire d’études de genre et sexualité (CNRS – Paris 8 – Paris Nanterre). She is a member of the Risk, Compassion and Testimony research group, led by the Professor Paulo Vaz (IDEA/UFRJ).

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Published

2022-12-05

Issue

Vol. 45 (2022)

Section

Arena

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Intercom: Revista Brasileira de Ciências da Comunicação

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How to Cite

Authenticity and happiness: tensions between two contemporary cultural imperatives. Intercom - Brazilian Journal of Communication Sciences, São Paulo, v. 45, p. e2022201, 2022. DOI: 10.1590/1809-58442022201pt. Disponível em: https://revistas.intercom.org.br/index.php/revistaintercom/article/view/3762. Acesso em: 16 jul. 2026.