The Mask and Privacy

There's a common ritual that practiced by most culture of humanity from the ancient until today the modern era. That common practice is the usage of mask in their ritual. Mask is an integral part for them because it allow an individual to transform into another persona that totally different from their usual self. The ancient shaman knew of this fact and use it to allow the bearer of the mask to let go of his old self and change themselves to be indulged by the God or Spirit.

This usage of the mask also prominent in our culture today. Movies like Batman or Spiderman for example, their always involved the usage of the mask to hide their identity to the public and with that resulting in them altering their persona that suit the purpose that they want to achieve. In this case they both want to be indulged by the spirit of justice.

Digital privacy in the modern era act the same way like the mask. It hide our identity and allow us to change them as we see fit with the purpose that we chose to embodied. Beyond just to protect ourselves, having a mask i.e privacy make it possible for us to achieve something greater. A mask or a second identity allow an individual to reborn or reincarnate. Free from the judgement from their old self.

The question then, do we gonna choose to reincarnate as being good or being evil with the new mask? That is the question which only each individual know the answer.

"Your mask is amazing. I wish you could've seen me in mine. Ain't it funny? All everyone wants to do is unmask you, but they're missing the point. You and I both know I'm looking at the real you right now. My mask allowed me to be myself completely. No shame, no limits."

-Riddler, The Batman

Reference:

1. https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/the-role-of-masks-in-ancient-rituals-and-performances
2. The Batman (2022)