@inbook{d269aa0419d04dd8ab62467f3d7298fa,
title = "Pretending to pretend: Performing {"}autohypocrisy{"} in online discourse",
abstract = "This chapter explores virtual performances of {"}autohypocrisy{"}, an overt form of pretence where users instantaneously and simultaneously execute and expose their own hypocritical act. Examining conventionalizing and creative uses on Twitter of the self-referential third-person performative predication 'pretends to be shocked', corresponding propositional hashtags and performative {"}not-selfie{"}GIFs, the study discloses the layers of performativity involved and discusses self-presentational aspects of their public sharing. Paradoxically, virtually exposing one's own pretence of being shocked may benefit self-promotion by giving the impression of the user being a sincere person, genuine and likeable. As a {"}benign{"}form of hypocrisy, playful performances of autohypocrisy allow users to avoid excesses of self-righteousness and provide them with ways of preserving the dignity of their online personhood.",
keywords = "autohypocrisy, pretence, playfulness, virtual performativity, performative layers, metapragmatic acts, multimodality, online self-communication, digital culture, Twitter",
author = "Tuija Virtanen",
year = "2024",
month = mar,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1075/pbns.343.08vir",
language = "English",
isbn = "9789027247056",
series = "Pragmatics and Beyond New Series",
publisher = "John Benjamins",
pages = "187--211",
editor = "Sandrine Sorlin and Tuija Virtanen",
booktitle = "The Pragmatics of Hypocrisy",
address = "United States",
}