The Bubble of Perfection

On prosperity, social media, and the loss of true connection

Introduction:

In modern Western society, freedom may seem abundant, but beneath the surface lies a subtle yet destructive pressure: the bubble of perfection. Driven by prosperity, fueled by algorithms, and cemented by social media, people are increasingly focused on presenting themselves as ‘successful.’ This collective façade has profound effects on how we perceive ourselves, interact with others, and confront real problems.

From Survival to Comparison

In societies where basic needs are largely met, space arises for something new: comparison. When food, safety, and shelter are no longer daily concerns, the focus shifts from "do I have enough?" to "do I have more than others?"
The desire to measure oneself against neighbors, colleagues, or friends is not a modern phenomenon. Long before social media, people envied the neighbor’s car or the size of a relative’s home. At social gatherings, reality was often painted in a rosier light, and financial or personal problems were rarely openly discussed.
But where comparison was once limited to the immediate environment, the bubble is now global—and digital.

The Algorithmic Reinforcement of the Ideal

Social media exponentially amplifies this tendency. Platforms are designed to maximize engagement. What attracts attention? What gets likes? Beauty, perfection, success.
Algorithms reward not reality, but idealized images. This creates collective pressure: only show your best moments. The new norm is the filter. The smile. The successful trip. The perfectly styled living room. And in this bubble, being simply human becomes increasingly difficult.
Interestingly, there is room for shared vulnerability—but only when it concerns socially acceptable events: grief, illness, or nationally recognized trauma. Individual insecurity, doubts about meaning or failure often remain hidden. Shame prevails where one deviates from the ideal.

Prosperity and Social Disconnection

The paradox is stark: the wealthier a society, the stronger the façade. Instead of openness, isolation grows. In earlier times, when lower classes often lacked basic needs, unity arose in resistance. People fought for rights, for bread, for security. Today, as luxury increases, the willingness to act collectively often diminishes—unless immediate survival is at stake.
When everyone is expected to be ‘successful,’ failure becomes a personal fault. And that makes true solidarity harder. What remains is a society where everyone strives to stand at the top of a mountain, without admitting that the view is sometimes empty.

Cultural Differences in the Bubble

While the Western bubble of perfection is fueled by a combination of individualism and wealth, cultural differences around the world show that this bubble manifests differently elsewhere. In many Asian and African countries, social media is more often a tool for connection than competition. Users in countries like India, Vietnam, or South Africa report feeling more positively about social media, focusing more on sharing family life, traditions, and community moments than personal success stories. The bubble exists there too—but it's less rigid, less individual.
A critical side note: in some non-Western nations, social media is also closely monitored or controlled by governments. This limits freedom of expression and discourages public sharing of personal struggles or discontent. As a result, an image of collective harmony may emerge that’s distorted. Nevertheless, the use of social media to promote the collective good—rather than individual glorification—appears to have a more positive impact on community cohesion and well-being.
In the West, it’s about self-presentation. In other regions, it's more about collective connection. These differences reflect the influence of culture, history, and socio-economic context on digital self-image.

The Social Consequences

This bubble of perfection leads to:
Mental pressure: feeling like a failure when one’s life doesn’t match online portrayals.
Alienation: relationships become superficial; real conversations fade.
Depression and burnout: as there’s no room to be ‘less than perfect.’
Polarization: those who deviate from the ideal are more quickly criticized or excluded.
Society loses its humanity when perfection becomes the norm and failure has no place.

Breaking the Bubble

It is essential to break the Western individual bubble of perfection. Life is not perfect—and it doesn’t need to be. As the old Dutch saying goes: "Elk huisje heeft zijn kruisje" (freely translated: *“Every home has its burden”—everyone faces their own struggles, even if they’re not visible).
Sharing a filtered ideal does not resolve inner turmoil. Only by acknowledging that everyone struggles, and that no one is perfect, can we create a culture of collective acceptance. Not just to be accepted by others, but to accept ourselves as we are—including our struggles.
This is especially crucial for children and young adults. They grow up with a digital mirror that doesn’t always reflect reality. Constant comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and psychological strain. Without the ability to critically filter these images, a generation grows up in emotional vulnerability.
And that vulnerability isn’t just personal—it seeps into society as a whole. The more individualism reigns, the harder it becomes to solve problems together. A society doesn’t run on solitary perfection, but on shared humanity, cooperation, and understanding.

Conclusion

The bubble of perfection is not a luxury issue, but a symptom of something deeper: a society that has learned to judge itself by success and image rather than authenticity and connection.
To break this bubble, we need vulnerability, courage, and reflection. And the realization that a person is not a brand, not a highlight reel, but a living story full of imperfection.