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Ever notice how everyone's an expert these days? Just look at LinkedIn. People are already declaring they’ve had a “Great day” at some event by 10:00 am! You know, the kind of posts where someone shares a selfie with a vague motivational quote, acting like they’ve unlocked the secrets of the universe after an hour-long networking session. A great day, in an hour. Impressive. I can’t even decide what I want for breakfast that quickly.

And don’t get me started on “fireside chats.” What even is that? There’s no "fire". Just a rebranded Q&A session that adds nothing new. The speakers often recycle basic ideas—things like 'engagement is key' or 'collaboration drives success'—but with a fancy name, it somehow feels like it should be more insightful. Just a guy with a mic, regurgitating whatever's trendy. The room’s full of people nodding like they’re having a profound moment. Honestly, it's just a chat. At an event. Nothing that couldn't be discussed over, well, an actual fire (or better yet, over coffee). But give it a catchy name, and suddenly everyone’s desperate to be there.

It’s wild how the emptiest content always gets the loudest applause. Cringe posts like 'Feeling blessed to be here!' under a random selfie, group photos with captions like 'Teamwork makes the dream work,' and trendy buzzwords like 'disruptive innovation'—that’s what people share. Meanwhile, genuinely insightful articles or meaningful reflections often go unnoticed, lost in the noise of all the flashy, empty content. Actual thought-out content? That’s just too much effort, I guess. It’s like we’ve collectively decided that celebrating nonsense is the way forward.

We want sustainability, but only on paper. We like to talk about eco-friendly practices, but when it comes to real changes—rethinking consumption, reducing waste, or challenging our behavior—it suddenly feels less appealing. We love “authenticity” as long as it’s aesthetic. We want deep discussions, just as long as they don’t require deep thought. And for some reason, it’s all about the surface now—the feel-good, the click-friendly, the “Look, I was there too!” moments.

Maybe it's the fear of missing out. Or maybe it's just easier to be part of the crowd than to think on your own. If everyone’s applauding, why bother questioning whether there's actually something to clap for?

I’ve been to the events. Listened to the panelists. Heard the buzzwords like 'synergy' and 'paradigm shift.' Left feeling like I’d wasted my time. Because, sure, you can put someone on a stage, give them a flashy title, but you can’t fake experience. Not when what you’re saying is as shallow as a puddle.

It’s not that we don’t want value. It’s just that we’re too busy cheering for the flashiest thing in the room to notice where the real value lies. Authenticity isn’t glamorous. It’s not the loudest voice. But it’s real, and that’s what makes it powerful. It’s worth seeking, because the impact of genuine actions often outlasts the applause.

So, maybe instead of waiting for that 'great day,' I'll focus on finding meaning in the small moments. Because maybe that's where authenticity really hides—in the quiet, uncelebrated parts of life that make it truly worthwhile.