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Dec 23 min read

We Prefer the Perception of Real Over Real.

Why We Value the Illusion of Authenticity Over Reality.

We Prefer the Perception of Real Over Real In a world increasingly focused on authenticity, it’s fascinating to discover that what we value most isn’t always what’s real, but what feels real. From museums with augmented reality exhibits to faux wood and synthetic leather in design, our preference often skews toward the perception of authenticity rather than its tangible form. Studies reveal that emotional responses to fake materials often rival those to genuine ones, demonstrating that fidelity—the convincing appearance of the real—holds more weight in our experiences. This article explores how our modern definition of "real" is shaped more by perception than substance, reshaping design, branding, and the environments we inhabit. Authenticity, reality, and truth are concepts we seem to be obsessing over lately. In fact, 86% of people surveyed by Social Media Today claim that authenticity is important in their choice of brands. However, what we perceive as “authentic” and what is actually “real” are often not the same thing. In many cases, we are drawn more to the illusion of reality than to its genuine counterpart. Take museums, for example. Neuroscientist Colin Ellard highlights that exhibitions featuring plastic reconstructions or augmented reality displays of dinosaurs are consistently more popular than those showcasing actual fossilized bones or authentic skeletons. Despite their scientific and historical authenticity, the real objects simply don’t evoke the same level of engagement or emotional response. This preference extends far beyond museums. Studies investigating our emotional reactions to fake versus real materials have shown negligible differences. For instance, faux wood dashboards in cars, ceramic tiles designed to mimic timber, Astroturf as grass, and biomaterials engineered in labs to look like leather have all gained widespread acceptance. These materials, while lacking the “realness” they mimic, satisfy our need for an appearance of authenticity. As neuroscientist Colin Ellard explains, "Our brains are remarkably adept at responding to the appearance of things rather than their underlying reality. What we experience as 'real' is often more about perception than substance." This insight highlights how modern society has redefined "real" through the lens of emotional and sensory engagement, reshaping design, branding, and the environments we inhabit. This trend raises an interesting paradox: authenticity has, in many ways, been replaced by fidelity. We seem to care less about whether something is real and more about whether it looks real. In other words, our preference lies in the perception of authenticity rather than the actual thing. This shift is reflected in design and consumer trends across industries. Gyprock walls masquerading as exposed brick are embraced in modern interiors, and faux grass is welcomed in urban spaces for its practicality. These imitations succeed because they align with our expectations of reality, offering the visual and tactile cues that satisfy our idea of what "authentic" should look like, without the drawbacks of the real thing. The implications are profound. As technology continues to improve, the line between real and perceived realness blurs further. Augmented and virtual realities, hyper-realistic synthetic materials, and AI-generated imagery push the boundaries of fidelity to new heights. Our preference for these illusions of reality challenges traditional notions of authenticity, raising important questions about how we define value and truth in an increasingly fabricated world. In the end, perhaps our obsession with authenticity isn’t really about reality at all—it’s about the emotions and experiences that something appears to provide, regardless of its origin. The “authentic” has become less about what is and more about what feels true to us.
 

In a world increasingly focused on authenticity, it’s fascinating to discover that what we value most isn’t always what’s real, but what feels real. From museums with augmented reality exhibits to faux wood and synthetic leather in design, our preference often skews toward the perception of authenticity rather than its tangible form.


Studies reveal that emotional responses to fake materials often rival those to genuine ones, demonstrating that fidelity, the convincing appearance of the real, holds more weight in our experiences. This article explores how our modern definition of "real" is shaped more by perception than substance, reshaping design, branding, and the environments we inhabit.


Authenticity, reality, and truth are concepts we seem to be obsessing over lately. In fact, 86% of people surveyed by Social Media Today claim that authenticity is important in their choice of brands. However, what we perceive as “authentic” and what is actually “real” are often not the same thing. In many cases, we are drawn more to the illusion of reality than to its genuine counterpart.


Take museums, for example. Neuroscientist Colin Ellard highlights that exhibitions featuring plastic reconstructions or augmented reality displays of dinosaurs are consistently more popular than those showcasing actual fossilized bones or authentic skeletons. Despite their scientific and historical authenticity, the real objects simply don’t evoke the same level of engagement or emotional response.


This preference extends far beyond museums. Studies investigating our emotional reactions to fake versus real materials have shown negligible differences. For instance, faux wood dashboards in cars, ceramic tiles designed to mimic timber, Astroturf as grass, and biomaterials engineered in labs to look like leather have all gained widespread acceptance. These materials, while lacking the “realness” they mimic, satisfy our need for an appearance of authenticity.


Colin Ellard explains,

"Our brains are remarkably adept at responding to the appearance of things rather than their underlying reality. What we experience as 'real' is often more about perception than substance." 

This insight highlights how modern society has redefined "real" through the lens of emotional and sensory engagement, reshaping design, branding, and the environments we inhabit.


This trend raises an interesting paradox: authenticity has, in many ways, been replaced by fidelity. We seem to care less about whether something is real and more about whether it looks real. In other words, our preference lies in the perception of authenticity rather than the actual thing.


This shift is reflected in design and consumer trends across industries. Gyprock walls masquerading as exposed brick are embraced in modern interiors, and faux grass is welcomed in urban spaces for its practicality. These imitations succeed because they align with our expectations of reality, offering the visual and tactile cues that satisfy our idea of what "authentic" should look like, without the drawbacks of the real thing.


The implications are profound. As technology continues to improve, the line between real and perceived realness blurs further. Augmented and virtual realities, hyper-realistic synthetic materials, and AI-generated imagery push the boundaries of fidelity to new heights. Our preference for these illusions of reality challenges traditional notions of authenticity, raising important questions about how we define value and truth in an increasingly fabricated world.


In the end, perhaps our obsession with authenticity isn’t really about reality at all, it’s about the emotions and experiences that something appears to provide, regardless of its origin. The “authentic” has become less about what is and more about what feels true to us.


 

Information Reference Index:

The Illusion of Authenticity in Modern Design

Why We Love Fake Things That Look Real

Augmented Reality and Visitor Engagement in Museums

The Role of Material Perception in Design and Branding

Synthetic Materials in Contemporary Design




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