In Indias growing concert culture, a concerning trend is emerging. While attending high-profile events has become a social status symbol, many are unable to secure tickets due to exorbitant prices or overwhelming online queues. To avoid feeling left out or socially undervalued, some individuals are resorting to an unconventional solution—a service called “Get Your Flex.”What is Get Your Flex“Get Your Flex” is a service that plays on the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). It allows users to create a facade of attending concerts, fancy restaurants, or aesthetic cafés through social media. Customers pay to be tagged in photos or videos from these events, curated and shared by fake profiles. From gender-specific accounts to city-based options, users can customize the content to fit their desired image.90 second video on how ppl on Instagram are paying to pretend they were at concerts pic.twitter.com/8MsSZ12VD3— anushka (@anushcache) December 16, 2024This mini-business thrives on creating an illusion. People can appear to be enjoying exclusive experiences, all without ever leaving their homes. While this trend may seem intriguing, it raises deeper questions about authenticity and the influence of social media on personal validation.Bengaluru womans social experimentAnushka Chhikara, a content creator from Bengaluru, recently experimented with “Get Your Flex.” She paid for a tag in a concert-related post to see how the service worked. The delivery was seamless, but her friend quickly identified the tag as fake. This led her to reflect on a sobering thought: “Only wealthier people will experience things in real life, while others might only afford to create a digital illusion of those experiences.”Social medias dystopian futureChhikaras observations shed light on the growing divide between those who can afford real-life experiences and those who rely on digital fabrications. This trend not only underscores societal disparities but also highlights the harmful mental health effects of depending on social validation.“If people are willing to pay, there will always be someone ready to provide,” Chhikara noted. The popularity of “Get Your Flex” reflects the lengths people are willing to go for an ideal online persona. It begs the question: How far will society push the boundaries of authenticity for the sake of appearances
