Dauthenticité

Dauthenticité is a coined concept in cultural theory and sociology used to describe the phenomenon by which authenticity itself becomes a constructed or performative quality within contemporary media and social life. The term blends the French authenticité with a prefix suggesting negation or deconstruction, signaling a focus on processes that challenge, erode, or monetize genuine experience. It first appears in academic discourse in the early 21st century, particularly in studies of digital culture, tourism, and branding, though exact usage and definition vary by author.

In practice, dauthenticité refers to situations in which perceived authenticity is manufactured or simulated, often through staged experiences, curated self-presentation, or algorithmic reinforcement of certain values. It encompasses authenticity as a social construct rather than an intrinsic property, and it highlights tensions between longing for realness and the commercial or algorithmic incentives that shape representations online and in consumer culture.

Critics argue that dauthenticité can obscure more precise analyses of authenticity by broadening the term too far, while supporters see it as a useful analytic for understanding contemporary performativity and commodification of sincerity.

See also:

- Authenticity

- Performativity

- Simulacrum

- Brand authenticity

- Neo-authenticity