I must say, I absolutely see your point but don't see a contradiction. You can be yourself and your best self, the latter very much needed in order to (hopefully) keep society functioning as it should (you provide for your family, look after your health, pay taxes, etc.).
The case against dressing up: a convention event I visited recently to support a friend performing there, where some of the attendees clearly “lived the cosplay identity” all day, every day. Having not been to an event like that in quite a few years, it was disconcerting.
I must say, I absolutely see your point but don't see a contradiction. You can be yourself and your best self, the latter very much needed in order to (hopefully) keep society functioning as it should (you provide for your family, look after your health, pay taxes, etc.).
The case against dressing up: a convention event I visited recently to support a friend performing there, where some of the attendees clearly “lived the cosplay identity” all day, every day. Having not been to an event like that in quite a few years, it was disconcerting.