Artificial identity: reading, cultural identity, and paths of literature in Brazil

Abstract

The Brazilian scene presents a series of changes and uncertainties in the fields of literature, knowledge production, and science, justifying the need for a debate on the future paths of our culture in line with advances in the digital world. The aim of this study is to propose a reflection on the value of reading, autonomy in choices, literary taste, and critical thinking, as well as other aspects that shape the “cultural identity” of Brazilian students. Through a bibliographic and qualitative research methodology, we seek to analyze the construction of an identity profile of Brazilian readers reflected on a social media, such as Instagram, considering the phenomenon of “artificial identity” forged on network and “cultural streaming” platforms. It is concluded that social media are digital spaces that have the potential both to widen cultural and social inequalities and to promote significant intellectual development. For the best perspective to prevail, we must teach/learn once and for all to combine technological awareness, critical thinking, responsibility, and ethics in the way we consume content from these virtual spaces.