Am I Only Me When I'm Online?

In this interactive essay, Bao uncovers what it means to exist in an age where the simple, tangible, and human act of collecting is commodified and repackaged through the surveilling eyes of the internet. This essay is cluttered with objects from Bao's personal collection, featuring bootleg and deadstock stationery, painstakingly peeled fruit stickers, and Japan Surplus mobile charms. The act of rummaging through these trinkets on screen can be likened to how we uncover more about ourselves through the collections we love so dearly.