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Parish priest reflects on 'aura farming' and the need to be seen
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Parish priest reflects on 'aura farming' and the need to be seen

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A priest in San Lorenzo reflected on the youth trend of "farming aura," a social media phenomenon involving striking poses to gain attention.
  • He noted that while expressing oneself and gathering is not inherently wrong, the focus on external validation mirrors a deeper human need.
  • The priest cautioned against negative influences like drugs and violence, urging a balance between virtual validation and genuine human connection.

The parish priest of San Lorenzo Cathedral has offered a Christian perspective on the youth trend known as "farming aura," a practice where young people gather to strike poses and make gestures to showcase their "aura" or ability to attract attention.

Farming aura is an expression linked to the language of video games. 'Farming' refers to accumulating points or resources, while 'aura' symbolically represents charisma and presence.

— Pedro Celestino BrítezExplaining the origin and meaning of the youth trend.

Father Pedro Celestino Brítez explained that "farming aura" originates from video game language, where "farming" means accumulating resources and "aura" symbolizes charisma and presence. He stated that there is nothing inherently wrong with young people gathering, dancing, expressing themselves, or having fun, even if the trend started online. He sees it as a way for digital-native trends to foster real-world encounters.

From a Christian viewpoint, Brítez emphasized the importance of discerning what such experiences leave people with. If an activity is healthy, creative, and fosters connection, it can be a valid expression for a generation. However, he warned that the situation becomes problematic when these gatherings involve drugs, alcohol abuse, violence, sexualization, or the humiliation of others, thereby harming personal dignity.

There is nothing wrong, properly, in gathering, dancing, expressing oneself, having fun, or sharing with other people.

— Pedro Celestino BrítezCommenting on the positive aspects of the trend.

The priest also highlighted the underlying "need to be seen, admired, or approved of" in contemporary society, which the concept of "accumulating aura" reflects. He suggested that while the digital world offers new ways to relate, maintaining a balance between virtual experiences and concrete human relationships is crucial, preventing the logic of social media from diminishing personal connections.

The situation changes when around these gatherings appear drugs, alcohol abuse, violence, sexualization, humiliation of other people, or any conduct that ends up affecting one's own or another's dignity.

— Pedro Celestino BrítezWarning about the potential negative influences associated with the trend.

Ultimately, Brítez recalled the biblical saying, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." He posed a question to both young people and adults: "How much of our lives do we truly live, and how much do we live to be seen?"

The priest also focused on the meaning of 'accumulating aura,' understood as accumulating recognition from others. In this sense, he raised a reflection on the growing need to be seen, admired, or approved of in today's society.

— Article textSummarizing the priest's commentary on societal needs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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