The Shrinking Sense Of Self: How Hyperreality And Instant Gratification Redefine Identity
- IJLLR Journal
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Mr. Suhas Bondre, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Hislop College, Nagpur
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the multifaceted phenomenon of “shrinking” in contemporary society—a trend characterized by the contraction of attention spans, cultural artifacts, and social engagements. With a particular focus on the interplay between technological acceleration, capitalist consumerism, and global media, the study investigates how the cultural landscape has transformed from the era of long-form cinema and expansive musical compositions to a present dominated by bite-sized digital content and rapid upgradation. Drawing on theories of cultural lag, hyperreality, surplus enjoyment and existentialism, as well as robust statistical data and real-world examples, this work argues that the relentless pressures of consumerism and technological innovation have precipitated a crisis of meaning, fragmenting identity and eroding deep social bonds. Through detailed analyses of film, music, literature, and digital interactions, the paper presents a wide-ranging and philosophically nuanced discussion intended to captivate the reader and contribute substantively to current academic debates.
Keywords: shrinking, cultural lag, hyperreality, capitalist consumerism, digital age, existentialism, identity, upgradation, surplus enjoyment, antinatalism, alienation
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