Authenticity and Transparency (in an election year)

Authenticity

If you are watching the insanity of the 2016 election (with 8 months to go) you’re probably shaking your head in disbelief. A lot. It is either the best or worst reality show in America. You couldn’t script this race any better. Or create better “characters.” When compared to past elections it’s downright exciting. And scary.

On one hand we have a colorful ex First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State going toe to toe with a Socialist Senator from the state of Ben & Jerry. On the other, we have a billionaire real estate developer and reality TV star, 2 youngish senators with Cuban roots and a governor of a midwestern state who seems like the adult in the playpen.

And while there are major issues facing the US. Important ones like ISIS, climate change, job growth, healthcare etc., we keep going back to character. Who do we trust?

In the old days (pre social media) we depended on journalists to help us dig beneath the surface. Today, it’s all out there for everyone to see. Hillary Clinton’s emails, Bernie Sanders’ activism, Donald Trump’s lawsuits etc. But what we’re learning is that while there are many facts to sift through, many voters on both sides are going with their gut. They’re looking less at transparency and more at the candidate they find authentic. Someone who meshes not only with his or her worldview, but makes them feel understood. Like they represent them.

This indeed will be a historic election. There’s a lot at stake and it’s still early. But come November, we will be looking back and wondering how in a world more transparent than ever, we can ignore the proof, the facts and vote for who we feel is most trustworthy and authentic.

One comment

  1. Sarah says:

    I love these two latest blog posts! There’s something connected between them that I think is fascinating. It has something to do with the weird intersection between our constant connectivity and our disinterest in delving below the surface; or, rather, maybe it’s our overwhelm with information and our preference for going by feel. I know I see it in myself: my instinctual preference to go by gut rather than make conscious choices even though I live in a world where there’s an unbelievable amount of information available to help guide me. I’m not sure it’s always a bad thing, our natural tendency to simplify our paths through life, but whatever it is, it’s fascinating! I hope you continue to explore this area further!

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