{
  "id": 12182856,
  "title": "“Authenticity is exactly the same as phoniness.”",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/authenticity-is-exactly-the-same-as-phoniness",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T15:45:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Marginal Revolution",
    "slug": "marginal-revolution",
    "url": "https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2026/10/authenticity-is-exactly-the-same-as-phoniness.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Authenticity may appear valuable, but it often signifies poor quality, according to Sam Kriss. Marketers exploit the concept of authenticity to sell subpar material, claiming it is raw or unflinchingly honest. Kriss argues that writers who emphasize their authenticity, flaws and all, are usually hiding more interesting personality traits they desire to possess. In reality, these writers are often insufferable in person. Kriss believes that good writing cannot be authentic to the self, as a great writer must acknowledge the unknowability of the self. Virginia Woolf's \"wedge-shaped core of darkness\" captures this idea, suggesting that authenticity is not something a skilled writer can authentically portray in their work. Kriss's commentary on authenticity can be found at the link provided.",
  "summary": "Authenticity doesn’t interest me. It’s a way of marketing subpar material: this might not be any good, but at least it’s sincere. You can always tell when a book is going to be dogshit because the blurb copy describes it as ‘raw’ or ‘unflinchingly honest.’ In my personal experience, the writers who make a big […] The post “Authenticity is exactly the same as phoniness.” appeared first on Marginal…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}