incredible essay, hel !!! :-) i've been really, really attuned to this argument for a while as with my dropping off the face of social media, i've come to realise how disappointing parasocial relationships can be. coming out the other side of a chronic addiction to media consumption and centring the views of ('successful') others who had more confidence, charm, beauty, and intellect than me, it makes me realise how much damage it had done to my sense of self to not spend time thinking for myself. although i still keep ties with a few creators (mainly long-form video and audio creators), the majority of influencers are exactly what the system has made them believe themselves to be โ a brand, a product, a commodity. the lack of humanity in so many of the influencers and celebrities with platforms currently is just... discombobulating. confusing. terrifying! because they themselves just see themselves as a face, rather than a human being, so it's for sure as hell disappointing (but still unsurprising) when they project this animosity onto others. truly no critical thinking skills, no desire to learn and care about other human lives, no desire to unpack the patriarchal, heteronormative, white supremacist biases that have allowed for their accumulation of capital ('success') nothing! being successful in this society has little to do with being compassionate, understanding, loving, sensitive, or humble - it is really quite the contrary.
the problem is that celebrities and influencers are so essential to the production of culture. these people in power that have little to no regard about the state of politics are the very ones enforcing neoliberalism to its full extent. because it is imbedded into culture, this neoliberalist need to compete and be an individual, these influencers and celebrities do not even need to question their mode of being, allowing for this 'apolitical' bullshit to spread to the fans that wish to be like them. a grandiose sense of self and apoliticality (not a word but it should be) now doesn't just effect celebrities -- it's affecting so many 'normal people' who consume this aspirational content. and that is fucking scary.
the only effective decision i've made to combat this is to stop centring these people in my life; these people that don't really care about others if they're not making them money.
you mention some great content creators, though -- such as those brave Palestinians documenting the hell unleashed by the idf onto their homeland. the digital and physical activism purely focused on bringing about collectivism, justice, and democratised information is what keeps me logged onto the internet. i wish it was these radically educated and passionate people with the millions of followers, because it's these people, i think, that would actually realise and appreciate how fucking mindblowing it is to have so many listen to what you have to say. i think it's insane how so many of those in positions of power naturalise it and take it for granted... it is truly all a bit insane.
anyway sorry for the big long comment... i have much to say about all of this and think you picked such an important topic to write on, and executed it very succinctly at that. the ending is powerful, too: 'as long as we keep watching, they can keep on earning.' let's stop platforming politically unconscious people ! ! !
honestly this is such a good extension and i really need to read up more on commodity fetishism w/ regard to influencers because it's such an interesting topic. i think you're right that the only way to combat the deification of influencers is to just...realise they're human beings and not absolute pillars of morality lmao. like it's okay to appreciate and enjoy content but the cult of celebrity is soooo dangerous imo. would love for a world where we don't give anyone this sheer amount of power over our morals or decisions
incredible essay, hel !!! :-) i've been really, really attuned to this argument for a while as with my dropping off the face of social media, i've come to realise how disappointing parasocial relationships can be. coming out the other side of a chronic addiction to media consumption and centring the views of ('successful') others who had more confidence, charm, beauty, and intellect than me, it makes me realise how much damage it had done to my sense of self to not spend time thinking for myself. although i still keep ties with a few creators (mainly long-form video and audio creators), the majority of influencers are exactly what the system has made them believe themselves to be โ a brand, a product, a commodity. the lack of humanity in so many of the influencers and celebrities with platforms currently is just... discombobulating. confusing. terrifying! because they themselves just see themselves as a face, rather than a human being, so it's for sure as hell disappointing (but still unsurprising) when they project this animosity onto others. truly no critical thinking skills, no desire to learn and care about other human lives, no desire to unpack the patriarchal, heteronormative, white supremacist biases that have allowed for their accumulation of capital ('success') nothing! being successful in this society has little to do with being compassionate, understanding, loving, sensitive, or humble - it is really quite the contrary.
the problem is that celebrities and influencers are so essential to the production of culture. these people in power that have little to no regard about the state of politics are the very ones enforcing neoliberalism to its full extent. because it is imbedded into culture, this neoliberalist need to compete and be an individual, these influencers and celebrities do not even need to question their mode of being, allowing for this 'apolitical' bullshit to spread to the fans that wish to be like them. a grandiose sense of self and apoliticality (not a word but it should be) now doesn't just effect celebrities -- it's affecting so many 'normal people' who consume this aspirational content. and that is fucking scary.
the only effective decision i've made to combat this is to stop centring these people in my life; these people that don't really care about others if they're not making them money.
you mention some great content creators, though -- such as those brave Palestinians documenting the hell unleashed by the idf onto their homeland. the digital and physical activism purely focused on bringing about collectivism, justice, and democratised information is what keeps me logged onto the internet. i wish it was these radically educated and passionate people with the millions of followers, because it's these people, i think, that would actually realise and appreciate how fucking mindblowing it is to have so many listen to what you have to say. i think it's insane how so many of those in positions of power naturalise it and take it for granted... it is truly all a bit insane.
anyway sorry for the big long comment... i have much to say about all of this and think you picked such an important topic to write on, and executed it very succinctly at that. the ending is powerful, too: 'as long as we keep watching, they can keep on earning.' let's stop platforming politically unconscious people ! ! !
AAAHHHHHHHHHH
honestly this is such a good extension and i really need to read up more on commodity fetishism w/ regard to influencers because it's such an interesting topic. i think you're right that the only way to combat the deification of influencers is to just...realise they're human beings and not absolute pillars of morality lmao. like it's okay to appreciate and enjoy content but the cult of celebrity is soooo dangerous imo. would love for a world where we don't give anyone this sheer amount of power over our morals or decisions