Social reality is constructed of social interaction. Since the digital revolution, physical and electronic interaction are in competition which is visible in couples texting others at ’intimate’ moments and social media profiles which clash with physical reality.

But there’s a stark contrast – with simple precautions real social interactions can be private; digital constructions of self are never so. For every bit of digital personality placed on-line, there is an opportunity to store, analyse and manipulate.

The more intimate the detail, the more extreme the cyber-lie, the more the potential for manipulation becomes. Yet in an age of rampant narcissism the attraction of a digital self, airbrushed and vaunted with internet generated friendship networks and media images, is irresistible.

This is a Faustian pact and the manipulators are closing in to devour privacy. If knowledge is power then sharing it is enfeebling. The more people collaborate in sharing the greater the enfeeblement.

What could be a more natural extension of the digital self, constructed from cyber materials and projected for manipulation than a group of digital selves constructing an electronic histoire of their interactions: a collective macro narcissistic opportunity with manipulation potential pro rata. The narcissists’ orgy is so easy to arrange narcissism is in large part the urge to engage others to support the grand image of self. Do it online faster with more people; better still be the ringmaster and run the orgy.

JOIN US AT THE ICA LONDON FOR THE LONDON PREMIERE ON FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER at 8.45pm

https://www.ica.art/whats-on/starvecrow-intro
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