We live in a world where everyone films everything. Running errands? Turn it into a get ready with me. Hard day at work? That’s a ranting video in the car. There are thousands of examples, and people love it almost every time. However, people have shifted. They want content that feels raw and authentic. There’s needs to be something about it that makes it feel genuine.
The best way to define being performative is doing something for show to get a reaction from people. It’s hard to pinpoint where being performative became an issue. It wasn’t until 2025 that people began to poke fun at others for acting a certain way. The best example of this was the stereotype of the “performative male.” The stereotype came from men who dressed and acted a certain way to appeal to women. This included wearing tote bags, drinking matcha, and reading books geared towards women. Soon, “performative male” contests started popping up everywhere.
After this, people seemed to pay more attention to the content of others. A video of helping someone turns into a questioning of someone’s character. It was as if a switch flipped over night.
Why People Care
Why do people care? People want others to be themselves so they feel comfortable expressing themselves.
At the end of the day, social media’s name comes with an emphasis on the social aspect. People want to connect to others. We can watch television and relate to the characters, but it’s not the same. Sometimes, you want a response from a stranger without PR teams and filters. Social media platforms like Reddit, Tumblr, and TikTok give people access to answers that can’t be fixed with a Google search.
On the flip side, many people post online to gain a following. Naturally, it makes sense for your image to be polished. Your profile is your first impression. Think of it as an interview—you are only to talk about your best features and skills. You aren’t going to show the hard moments. On top of that, the internet is used to escape those moments.
It can’t be said for certain that being performative is a good or bad thing. That entirely depends on what you are hoping for. Wanting attention is a normal human feeling. So, go out, drink your matcha while reading in a coffee shop, and think about how you want perform for yourself!
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