main-character syndrome

— Kreider ends his essay by poignantly identifying “the mortifying ordeal of being known.” Over the past year, that sentiment has become so pervasive that “not wanting to be perceived” has quickly become a staple trend across social platforms. It’s joined the ranks of what could be considered the “being perceived” antithesis, the concept of having main-character syndrome, where you act as though you’re the lead in your own movie and everyone else is simply an extra in your narrative.