"I am 23 as I write this". I can't say I'm surprised, and the author is clearly of the "I love the sound of my own voice" type. That's how the piece reads at least. Narcissism isn't only about looks.
My first thought when reading your comment was “wow that’s more sharply critical than the author deserves”.
But on second thought it is a bit ironic that a piece so critical of “signaling” and empty gestures (the author cites things like joining student counsel) would be posted to the author’s personal blog. I think it would have leant credibility to the article if the author had the self awareness to point out the fact that blogs are a form of self promotion not too far removed from Instagram.
It is of course ironic, but perhaps it is also to be expected.
It might be that we're more sensitive to - and insightful about - the social phenomena that stem from personality traits not unlike our own (on some level at least).
This is a slippery slope. Writing is little without readers, and you can't improve your writing without someone to read it. To say all writing is "signaling not too far removed from instagram" reduces all expression to the kind of absurdity the author criticizes. Surely original words are closer to authentic voice than using a company's predefined filter! Surely ideas composed on an empty sheet are not as vapid as yet another sunset selfie #lifemoments #puravida
The lack of self-awareness gives the piece a rich irony which makes it interesting. Should this have been written for a subtle McSweeney’s submission, I would not be shocked.
