A Filtered Reality

Filtered Reality: How the Internet Rewired Self-Expression is a provocative exploration of how social media has transformed identity, self-worth, and authenticity in the digital age. From the early days of MySpace and Tumblr to the algorithm-driven worlds of Instagram, TikTok, and AI influencers, this book unpacks the hidden forces shaping how we present ourselves online—and how they've altered the way we see ourselves in real life. Blending cultural critique, psychology, and compelling storytelling, Filtered Reality examines how self-expression has shifted from something personal and organic to something optimized, performative, and shaped by engagement metrics. It explores questions like: Is self-expression still authentic when it's curated for an audience? What happens when influencers, brands, and even AI personalities start shaping identity more than real-life relationships? Can we ever truly be "real" in a space designed for performance? With deep insights into digital culture, the rise of AI-generated personas, and the growing pushback against social media perfection, Filtered Reality challenges readers to rethink their relationship with the internet. In a world where authenticity has become a commodity, this book is an urgent call to reclaim what it means to be human. For fans of: Jia Tolentino's Trick Mirror, Jenny Odell's How to Do Nothing, and Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism.