We Live in Disconnection: A Mini-series

Part I: We Live in a Vibe.

We Live in a Vibe: A Social Inquiry into Connection

In a world where "main character energy" is a lifestyle and soft lighting is a survival strategy, we find ourselves in a strange cultural moment—one where personal branding has not only replaced identity, but where aesthetic has begun to substitute for connection.

Welcome to the vibe economy.

The Rise of the Curated Self

From influencer skincare routines to the rise of AI girlfriends, our lives have become increasingly mediated through screens and filters. We don’t just exist—we perform. We don’t meet people—we engage with their curated digital selves. Identity is now something we assemble with intention, like a moodboard.

This echoes Erving Goffman’s seminal concept of the "presentation of self" in everyday life, where we curate identity depending on our social stage. In today’s world, that stage is algorithmically optimized.

We don’t introduce ourselves with "Hi, I’m Alex" anymore. We say, "I'm into cottagecore, hot girl walks, and healing." Our personalities are bios, playlists, and Lightroom presets. The line between who we are and what we signal has never been blurrier.

Connection Replaced by Vibe

We used to live in a society—now we live in a vibe.

Aesthetics offer comfort, community, and clarity. They help us make sense of a chaotic world. But when aesthetic replaces intimacy, we’re left with the appearance of connection without its substance. You can align your energy with someone's Instagram grid, but still not know how they sound when they laugh.

This shift mirrors Sherry Turkle’s observations in Alone Together, where digital communication often gives the illusion of companionship without the demands of relationship.

The vibe has become a coping mechanism. It is easier to be on-brand than to be vulnerable. Easier to share a meme about anxiety than to ask for help. Easier to DM than to make eye contact.

The Commodification of Feeling

Brands have capitalized on this shift. Emotional resonance is now marketing currency. You’re not just buying a product—you’re buying a lifestyle, a narrative, a soft pastel balm for the soul. We’re no longer consumers of things—we’re curators of feelings.

This is deeply tied to affective capitalism, where feelings become commodities and brands market emotional experiences rather than products. Think of Glossier, Headspace, or even your favorite journaling app.

In this context, personal connection can feel outdated, even awkward. Why risk the messiness of real-time vulnerability when you can express your emotional state through a carefully selected TikTok audio or an IG reel with melancholic typography?

The Cost of the Vibe

There’s a quiet grief in all of this—a loneliness masquerading as self-optimization. Behind the vibe, we are often burnt out, disconnected, and unsure how to rebuild genuine relationships.

What if being known doesn’t come from sharing the right song or perfectly edited photo—but from being witnessed in the unfiltered, unthemed, unscheduled moments?

Reclaiming the Real

Living in a vibe isn't inherently wrong—it can be expressive, empowering, even healing. But we must ask ourselves: what are we editing out in the name of aesthetic? What stories aren’t we telling because they don’t fit the feed?

To move from vibe to connection, we may have to risk being off-brand. We may have to show up—not just styled, but seen.

This is Part I in the "We Live in Disconnection" series from AnthroPop—a cultural exploration of how aesthetics, technology, and modern life shape (and reshape) human connection.

Stay curious, please.

-AP