I think it was my mom's attitude about art and being part of the

Host: The room is filled with a soft glow, the light from a nearby lamp casting long shadows on the walls. Outside, the wind stirs the leaves, a faint rustling sound drifting through the open window. Jeeny sits on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed, fingers absentmindedly twirling a pen, lost in thought. Jack leans against the window, his eyes focused outside, but his mind clearly elsewhere. The atmosphere is quiet, yet there’s an underlying tension, as if the next words could shift the entire energy of the room.

Jeeny: “I came across a quote today that made me think, Jack,” she says, her voice breaking the silence. “It’s from Tavi Gevinson. She said, ‘I think it was my mom's attitude about art and being part of the narcissistic digital generation or whatever that made me think anyone would care what I had to say about anything!’ What do you think of that?”

Jack: He turns slightly, raising an eyebrow. “Narcissistic digital generation, huh? Seems like a pretty harsh take on today’s world. Is that how you see it? That everyone online is just talking about themselves, trying to get validation? Maybe she has a point, but is that all there is to it?”

Jeeny: She shifts, leaning forward slightly, her voice thoughtful. “I think she’s touching on something deeper — the idea that we’re all sharing and expressing ourselves in ways that can sometimes feel empty or performative. But at the same time, I also think her mom’s attitude about art — and the way people use platforms to express themselves — pushed her to actually believe that what she had to say mattered. It’s this double-edged sword of wanting to be heard but also feeling like you’re part of a wave that’s not always genuine.”

Host: The air between them feels charged, like the quiet before a storm. Jack watches Jeeny closely, his expression slightly guarded, yet intrigued by her perspective. Outside, the evening sky is a darkening canvas, the last hints of daylight slipping away. The fire from the nearby lamp flickers, casting a warm, almost reflective glow across the room.

Jack: “I don’t know, Jeeny. The way I see it, people are just trying to express themselves in whatever way they can. Yeah, there’s a lot of self-promotion going on, but isn’t that the nature of social media? You put yourself out there, and people either listen or they don’t. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be heard. The whole world’s been built on people putting their thoughts and ideas into the open. It’s just more instantaneous now, that’s all.”

Jeeny: She nods slowly, her fingers tapping gently on the table. “But it’s not just about wanting to be heard. It’s about validation — whether you’re an artist, a creator, or just someone sharing an opinion. In a way, Tavi’s mom’s attitude about art might have been a reminder to Tavi that authenticity is more important than just being visible. The narcissistic part might come from the pressure to be constantly seen, but it’s also about finding meaning in what you put out there. Not just for likes or attention, but for something more.”

Host: The room feels quieter now, each word they speak hanging in the air longer. Jack’s mind is clearly racing, his posture slightly more open than before, as if he’s considering a deeper layer to the conversation. Jeeny watches him, her eyes soft, not pushing but letting the words sink in.

Jack: “So, you think people are just looking for meaning in their art, in their posts, or whatever? That it’s not really about the attention? Because from where I stand, it looks like a lot of people just want to be seen, to be noticed, and if they get that, the meaning almost becomes secondary.”

Jeeny: “I think there’s both, Jack. Attention is part of it, yes, because in today’s world, visibility is the quickest way to engage. But at the same time, I think it’s about people searching for something deeper, something that makes them feel connected to others. Tavi might have felt that pressure, but she also felt the urge to create and speak because it was something she cared about. That’s where the authenticity lies — in caring enough to express yourself, despite the noise around you.”

Host: The room remains still, the only sound being the faint hum of the outside world and the soft flicker of the lamp. Jeeny’s voice carries a quiet intensity, while Jack is still processing, his gaze now distant, focused on the passing thoughts in his mind. The exchange between them has opened a door, but there’s still uncertainty on how they truly feel about the role of social media, self-expression, and the complex nature of authenticity.

Jack: “I guess… I guess I see your point. But isn’t there a fine line between authenticity and attention-seeking? How do we even know if what we’re doing is real or if it’s just another way to get noticed in the sea of people shouting into the void?”

Jeeny: “I think that’s the struggle, isn’t it? We all want to be seen, but we also want to be understood. The real question isn’t just about how many likes you get, but whether the things you’re sharing are meaningful to you — whether they matter beyond just the surface. Authenticity comes from a place of truth, not just visibility.”

Host: The evening deepens, and the quiet tension in the room begins to soften. Jack leans back, a thoughtful look on his face, while Jeeny remains poised, her voice steady, yet reflective. In this quiet moment, they both seem to realize that the true power of self-expression lies not in the pursuit of attention, but in the sincerity with which we put ourselves out into the world.

Jack: “Maybe it’s not about the number of people who hear you, but about whether you’re really saying something that matters. Whether it’s for the right reasons.”

Jeeny: “Exactly, Jack. Whether anyone cares or not, it’s about the meaning you create, the connection you make, even if it’s just with yourself.”

Host: The room settles into silence, the fire still gently crackling in the corner. The world outside has grown quiet, and inside, Jack and Jeeny sit in the comfort of understanding, each of them finding a new layer of meaning in the digital world they both live in. The narcissistic age of self-expression may bring with it questions of authenticity, but it’s the deeper truth beneath the surface — the need to be truly understood — that ultimately shapes what we share with the world.