At Feltrinelli in Naples presentation of the book The Mask and the Code by Edoardo Boncinelli and Marco Rossano

On Monday, April 7th, at 6:00 PM, the Feltrinelli bookshop in Piazza dei Martiri in Naples will host an intriguing event: the presentation of the book "The Mask and the Code" by Edoardo Boncinelli and Marco Rossano. The work, published by Luiss University Press and featuring photographs by Ferdinando Scianna, promises to stimulate profound reflections on the duality of identity in the modern era.

During the evening, the audience will have the opportunity to attend a performance by actor and director Sergio Sivori.

Masks and Identities

The essay will explore the theme of masks as a tool for communication and relationship. “We advance masked”, as suggested by Nietzsche, highlighting how our daily interaction is influenced by these cultural metaphors. Masks are not only a way to hide, but also a means to highlight the facets of personal identity. Greek philosophers, in their invitations to “know thyself”, urged the exploration not only of the Self, but of the fluid boundaries between the self and the external world.

Language and Coding

Edoardo Boncinelli highlights the connection between ethnological analysis and a modern scientific reading, with a focus on digital coding, highlighting that “speaking is coding”. The transition to digital language is presented as a step towards unprecedented efficiency. In this dynamic, human language diversifies from that of animals, creating new spaces for interaction.

Digital Masks

Marco Rossano adds a further layer to this discussion, illustrating how masking can take multiple forms – social, psychological and virtual. In today’s rapidly changing world, digital masks are emerging forcefully. On social media platforms, individuals assume a wide range of identities, experiencing life in a context where each mask offers the opportunity to reveal or hide versions of themselves that are difficult to accept in traditional reality. With an approach that combines psychology, sociology and anthropology, this book promises to challenge conventional notions of identity and communication, opening a window on the future of human interactions. The presentation promises to be an unmissable opportunity to reflect on how, in today’s interconnected world, masks are no longer just objects on a stage, but fundamental elements of everyday life.