Comment

Comment on Gen Z mostly doesn't care if influencers are actual humans, new study shows

skulblaka@startrek.website ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

Right. There have been folks getting paid for (and enjoying) being the center of attention since culture has existed. The entire concept of cinema comes from this. I wouldn’t call Rowan Atkinson or Penn & Teller “attention whores or people who only want free shit” but they are the “influencers” of their time.

The dynamic has shifted, but I don’t see it as some inherently bad thing, this just reads as a “kids bad!” kind of statement.

source

Sort:hotnew top

billwashere@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I can definitely see your point. Celebrities are the center of attention and can influence people. But the two you mentioned, well three actually, are entertainers first and foremost. They had a skillset that was interesting to watch and people would pay to do so. So it gets back to the definition of “influencer”… it’s always the nuance of definition isn’t it 😀

So I guess my definition would include some no talent YouTube or Instagram C-rated “celebrity” that is essentially famous for being famous. They expect special treatment and recognition when it isn’t deserved or warranted. They are often pretentious and obnoxious. When I think of “influencer” this is the image in my mind.

source
- abhibeckert@lemmy.world ⁨6⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  
  When I think of “influencer” this is the image in my mind.
  
  … OK. But that’s not what the term “Influencer” means. The actual definition is basically just “anyone with a lot of followers”.
  
  And there are plenty of people with a lot of followers who produce great content.
  
  source