Live data from Hacker News

The Anxiety of Influencers

harpers.org

41–50 of 192 posts

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#41

Wow, the subject influencers in the article were insufferable just to read about. I can't think of any group I have less empathy for than them. The world would be such a better place if the concept of an "influencer" completely ceased to exist.

In tech we call them thought leaders. DevRels if they’re not self-employed.

Are they so bad?

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#42
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? No, but if someone says friends are important in life, some people will think fame would be a good way to make friends.

I upvoted you but I think you and I might differ in our definition of friend; I think you're right that you have the opportunity to "cast a wide net" so to speak, but an internet search turns up numerous quotes from celebrities that find those relationships lacking in humanity and are void of meaningful connections. I don't think there's anything in fame that inherently precludes you to making true friendships, but y…

>I don't think there's anything in fame that inherently precludes you to making true friendships, but you might have to sift more to find them.

I guess the quantity and variety of interactions you get with fame will quickly desensitise you to the point where normal interaction with people becomes awkward.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#43
post #11

What a horrible life these kids have. They don't realise it. Their influencing value is inversely proportional to their rise in numbers. If everyone becomes and influencer, who'll they influence. And why does anyone need influencing. It's just advertising by reinvented. Most of it is just showing skin.

"In the future, everyone will be famous to fifteen people".

That's a surprisingly eutopian vision when you put it like that.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#44
post #11

What a horrible life these kids have. They don't realise it. Their influencing value is inversely proportional to their rise in numbers. If everyone becomes and influencer, who'll they influence. And why does anyone need influencing. It's just advertising by reinvented. Most of it is just showing skin.

"In the future, everyone will be famous to fifteen people".

They will become increasingly addicted to that fame, and some will drift into chemicals and porn and tragedy.

It is not my place to judge this, but some will look back and reflect.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#45

Wow, the subject influencers in the article were insufferable just to read about. I can't think of any group I have less empathy for than them. The world would be such a better place if the concept of an "influencer" completely ceased to exist.

Just get eliminate user seeable statistics (likes, shares, etc.) as well as artificial trending.

Once people are freed from that yoke, they'll find better things to do.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#46
I sometimes wonder about the reach of this value system into unexpected or non-obvious ecosystems.

For example, the tech industry has its share of perennial celebrity conference circuit speakers for who grace stages with hundreds to thousands in attendance, Twitter personalities who have loyal followings for their respective thought leadership, and a reinforcing cycle of one feeding the other. Where are the lines between one form of cultivation of celebrity and another? Can anyone really fault these people, given they're reaping rewards from the persona they've created? If it's easier to raise money or get a job as a recognizable personality than it is by way of other acumen or expertise, then it seems like it might well be a shrewd and wise pursuit. If not necessarily a particularly fulfilling one by other measures.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#47
post #40
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would argue you should make a new family. People who eschew the concept of family live a less fulfilling life IMO.

You’re being asked to consider the possibility that your family experiences have influenced this view. Not that you are incorrect, or even correct, the parent statement is simply saying you hold this belief because if you’re experiences.

Only on HN would advocating for the importance of family be rabidly downvoted.

Family is a universal component of human civilization. Our current president has repeatedly stated the utmost importance of his family, as has every president.

What makes family bonds so strong is that they won’t turn your back on you when you are in a bind. They are much stronger than friends. Stable households are the most important predictor for childhood success.

You won’t find many who are bitterly opposed to the concept of family except those that are lonely during the holidays.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#48
post #40
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would argue you should make a new family. People who eschew the concept of family live a less fulfilling life IMO.

You’re being asked to consider the possibility that your family experiences have influenced this view. Not that you are incorrect, or even correct, the parent statement is simply saying you hold this belief because if you’re experiences.

What beliefs do you have that aren't from experiences? Even analytic beliefs are things you believe because you experienced arriving at them. e.g. I believe 2+2 is 4 because of my experiences with math and calculation, in the same way I believe putting my hand on a hot plate might hurt because of my experience with hot things etc.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#49

What I don't understand is why brands throw so much money at very young influencers. Are they specifically targeting young rich kids who spend big on products/merch? Seems like a small demographic for a $15B projected market...

You don't have to be rich to buy luxury goods. In fact most of them are bought by people who can't afford them but desperately want to own them. There's credit cards, parents, using all your disposable income on them since you don't pay rent, etc.

Right. The people who can actually afford $500 shoes aren't the ones buying Balenciaga sneakers that look like clown shoes. Actual wealthy people are generally not easily influenced suckers.

Re: The Anxiety of Influencers

#50
> According to a poll released in 2019, some 54 percent of Americans between the ages of thirteen and thirty-eight would, if given the chance, become a social-media influencer. A whopping 23 percent believed that this term already fit them.

EDIT: Jesus, this article is the gift that keeps giving:

> Later, when I ask Chase [about the veracity of the video he] explains that the video must be legit because “it’s gotten deleted multiple times off the internet, which is insane.” Epistemologically, this is where we are as a country: when content gets expurgated because of blatant misinformation, it is taken as a sure sign of that source’s truthfulness.

also the whole post apocalyptic vibe is lit:

> It is raining ash while we play basketball.

Post reply on HN