Identity and the other

From Why We Should Mourn and Cheer Grantland’s Demise by Fredrik deBoer:

In the era of the internet, our opinions often feel like what we are, like we have no self aside from our opinions. And what better way to define a self than by contrasting it with all the selves it’s not?

…and…

As is typical of 21st century life, we have a far clearer picture of how to be a loser than we do of how to be fulfilled and happy.

Reminds me of The Last Pyschiatrist.