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The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

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The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

By: Erving Goffman
Narrated by: Graham Halstead
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A notable contribution to our understanding of ourselves. This audiobook explores the realm of human behavior in social situations and the way that we appear to others. Dr. Goffman uses the metaphor of theatrical performance as a framework. Each person in everyday social intercourse presents himself and his activity to others, attempts to guide and control the impressions they form of him, and employs certain techniques in order to sustain his performance, just as an actor presents a character to an audience. The discussions of these social techniques offered here are based upon detailed research and observation of social customs in many regions.

©1956 Erving Goffman (P)2020 Random House Audio Anthropology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Sciences Sociology Presentation Zen
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A thorough depiction of how people behave in social
settings, from work to events, in order to express and confirm status, affiliation, identity, and other facets of fitting in (or not). I found it a little long and repetitive, but in a way I liked the repetition, because it helped things sink in.

Worth the time investment

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The best book ever written about Facebook and Instagram and it was published in 1959.

One of the most important (and readable and fun) social science books of the 20th century.

Great job with the production. It makes it easier to follow along with all the examples in this book when you listen to it.

Finally on Audible!!

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I’m so glad the publishers took the risk and expense to bring such a valuable book to audio.

Especially insightful

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A cousin to ‘All the world’s a stage’ I found this book helpful and credible. The front stage and back stage analogies are ones I use in design work and could be applied to most fields.

I hate to say it was a little repetitive, but it was, chapter 4 Discrepant Roles and 6 The Art of Impression Management were unnecessary for me.

In the Conclusion there was just a hint of something I wish he elaborated on, when people act a role but forget and can’t seem to find their way back to an authentic self. I wanted more on that.

A helpful analogy that compliments design work

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A very good assessment of behavior that is active in our live regularly but out of most of our keen observation. It is a good psychosocial look at our everyday interaction operating mostly out plain view. I recommend reading the book.

The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

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worst audiobook I have ever listened to. outdated and sounds as if it was written 50 years ago.

outdated

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Tedious step by step instructions on how to collectively gaslight and exploit members of an out-group whilst using deception to avoid accountability.

Goffman writes frankly about employing offensive and highly coordinated Machiavellian like strategies. One can only assume he (like his fellow Social Darwinist) misunderstood “survival of the fittest” to mean individual rather than species fitness.

According to Darwin, members increase species fitness with behaviours like cooperation, altruism and bravery. In stark contrast to the apathy and malice actively encouraged throughout this book.

Institutionalising racism & sexism, a “how to” guide

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