What are your thoughts on this "influencer" culture?

Sugar_Rush · 05-11-2023 5:13pm #1

I ask as, first and foremost it's exclusively a function of the age of technology we live in.

Primarily - youtube.

Looking back personally, youtube would for me have massively influenced so many life choices.

It was released/popularized when I was early on in college, and based on the unique form of media exposure it facilitated, it felt like it opened such a diversity of cultural pathways, learning opportunities, and new ways of thinking and living.

Which is intuitive enough as, it brings in so much "influence", where historically, we would have been confined to that within our own culture, almost exclusively (recall that friend from childhood who seemed so exotic, cause he used to spend the summer with relatives in Spain or some other far away land or unbeknownst culture? Or when our musical tastes depended almost exclusively on what on was Top-Of-The-Pops or played on 2FM?).

Well, the entire concept is literally making headlines currently, as - get this - an Irish university have actually introduced an undergraduate program in becoming just that; an "influencer".

To express my sentiments on this in more conventional terms......... did you ever hear the like??

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/university-set-to-offer-irelands-first-influencer-degree/a156193534.html

With that being said, I also can't help but note the fact that, some kid with camera phone and internet connection can literally make his fortune doing this.

I mean, millions in revenue.

Chris Heria, Jessie James West, Mike Thurst....... all their fortunes and beach front properties made and paid for, through a smart phone, youtube stream, having a tan and "working out".

**sigh**

Sugar_Rush · 05-11-2023 5:17pm

I looked into it a little further and, apparently the entire fiasco can be traced back to one "dude".

The first "influencer" of our time:

https://youtu.be/Tj-1kDru0h0?si=C3KQrZBCUBZtmZBG&t=20

Maybe it should be more accurately termed, "the age of try-hard male sex-objects".

Tan, muscles, hair and attitude.

To be fair, those things would definitely not be very "Irish", and there's a case to be made it would certainly be an upgrade on the type of attitude we've historically considered "trendy" or "edgy" or "cool":

BaywatchHQ · 05-11-2023 7:29pm

I used to watch Zyzz back then but then I swallowed the blackpill. It was irrational for me as a 5'6 naturally chubby person to think that I was ever going to look like him regardless of how much I worked out. Plus I think he was on steroids anyway.

AllForIt · 05-11-2023 9:57pm

Becoming a youtube star and making a small fortune off online advertising is one thing but most influencers these days are bascially promoting products.

Which is now being regulated...

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/1027/1413195-new-guidance-on-advertising-for-influencers/

Parents would be wise to keep their kids well away from them imo.

Sugar_Rush · 05-11-2023 10:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121329059#Comment_121329059

He was very vocal about steroid use, and other elicit drug use also.

Mike Thurst by example, it's common knowledge the "pool parties" and "yacht parties" he hosts, the chicks are all paid to appear.

It's a facade.

Like instagram chicks, 99% of the pictures are photoshopped and glammed, just to increase clicks/hits.

I guess that's why I'm second guessing the wisdom of establishing a degree program on such a thing.

Listening to Jessie James West positively gives me headache.

Some of the fitness influencers can occasionally produce interesting content though. The whole "Hannibal for King" street-workout thing about in the 2010's was kind of cool, and definitely started this body weight workout, "muscle up" craze, which had value no doubt.

Regardless of my opinion, it seems to be taking over.

Maybe there's some value in the "men with attitude" thing? As above, it's gotta be a better influence on contemporary culture that the alternative:

At the moment, this........ this, is what's considered "trendy" and "edgy" and "cool".

This is the template for being a male "Diva" in Ireland (if you're still young enough, or old but shameless enough like me, to go to nightclubs, you'll know what I'm talking about).

So yeah, you know what? Give me the tan, muscles and trance music any day.

clampedusa · 06-11-2023 6:37pm

Influencers are within touching range of the scam community. They frequently do drift into the scam community.

If I were to use a broad stroke I would say that influencers are basically sh1tbags. Im sure the usual exceptions apply but in general its an industry full of despicable people who often have a striking resemblance to scam artists and fraudsters, primarily the determination to never under any circumstances get a real job or make a real effort, while also maintaining a determination to achieve quick massive wealth.

Many also seem to believe that they invented the concept of 'fake it til you make it'. And that the general public dont know what that is, and can't see them for what they are, due to their next level cunning and high level of originality.

Jez from peepshow always springs to mind.

Floppybits · 06-11-2023 7:05pm

This is a tough one. On one hand I have to admire the "influencers" and "you tubers" that are genuine because it is not easy having to produce content all the time to stay relevant. I'm mainly into the fitness side and watch the videos to get ideas on changing up my workouts or how better to improve certain aspects like flexibility and I am thinking watching these videos how much time must it take to create the content between doing the workouts and editing and posting. I watch a lot of Sheamus Celtic warrior workouts and I remember him commenting that he would need to record 4 - 6 hours of content and then that is sent to someone he works with to edit the content and that can take a couple of days to do and that is all for a 45 minute to 1 hour video. The good thing is that he is not promoting anything accept using his position to show people that even he can struggle in the gym doing workouts.

Then you see the other influencers going around to pubs to give their verdict on a pint or on a some food and you are thinking are these folks getting a free meal for giving a good review. Usually I keep away from these. I do wonder how do they get from being a nobody to an influencer? I think of the likes of Vogue Williams (is that her name) and wonder what have you done? I can understand ex-professionals be they sports stars or other areas becoming influencers as they have been there and done it but folks that have never seemed to do anything how do they do it? Suppose they need to be admired for it.

Manic Moran · 06-11-2023 7:25pm

I would be sure to place a distinction between "influencer" and "social media personality/presence". The two are not synonymous, and they need not have the same purpose. Educational channels, for example, need not have an influencing purpose besides influencing public knowledge. Both, however, can make a decent living if they are good at what they do, but both also have to put a lot of work into it, just like every other self-starting business, if they're going to be particularly successful. Don't automatically cringe if your kid says "I want to be a Youtuber." Attack it like any other business or career plan proposed, look for niches, networking, etc. The good news is that at least initial investment is pretty low.

Sugar_Rush · 06-11-2023 9:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121333503#Comment_121333503

the concept of 'fake it til you make it'.

Would you mind giving your take on what this means?

I've heard it said before, particularly in regards to that "Dub life" culture. It's quite non-formal and non-specific so perhaps it has different meaning depending on the context?

clampedusa · 06-11-2023 10:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121334362#Comment_121334362

its an old saying, appear to be successful in order to be perceived as successful by society, and thereby invite opportunities, which can in turn allow you to become legitimately successful.

if you were to venture into the realm of dropshipping courses you would see an endless number of 20-something clowns posing in front of top end cars and penthouses, claiming that they were able to attain this wealth through their secret method which they (a type of influencer) can sell to you for just $49.99, even though it supposedly usually costs $1000. (its all horse sht)

These clowns are hoping that if they can get enough subscriptions to their nonsense courses then maybe one day in the future they may actually be able to buy that same Lamborghini which they claim to own today.

... but which is more likely rented for an hour.

faking it til you make it is an age old trick. it a bit like a ponzi scheme in its structure, no initial substance but wonderful packaging. a snowball effect based on a lie. Using hype to generate hype.

its a circular process. Display (fake) success. Attract attention and undue respect. Elicit some kind of opportunity or resource by those impressed by your status. Use the fruit of your scam to appear successful. Display success, repeat.

I can even respect it when its used right, but to see some naive twat who thinks he/she is a genius for inventing a new next level scam when its actually among the oldest in the book just makes me vomit a little. And 'influencers' try it often.

Sugar_Rush · 06-11-2023 11:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121334586#Comment_121334586

Wow that's good.

It kind of reminds me of what chicks do.

Tell you about their awesome social lives and sex lives like they're Diva's, when in actual fact they're just using that image in attempt to attract sugar daddies.

lol

Sad but true.

Sounds like something that's very common place amongst those looking for social status.

All about image.

But I guess when it's not genuine and is exposed as such, that house of cards really comes tumbling down.

I can even respect it when its used right,

Just out of curiosity, any examples of this? It being "used right"?

alias no.9 · 06-11-2023 11:34pm

It's just marketing / advertising via social media. It's likely that nobody 'studying' to be an influencer will ever become an idea influencer. They may however build solid careers at the interface between businesses and influencers.

L.Ball · 07-11-2023 12:25am

People who dislike Influencers are only jealous, they make lots of money and that's all that counts at the end of the day.

Grayson · 07-11-2023 8:16am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121333699#Comment_121333699

Yep. I watch plenty of youtubers but i wouldn't say any are influencers. many make educational content or videos about weird historical stuff. There's a few gamers I watch but I'd watch compilation videos and not even full matches. And a few reviewers who would review but not promote brands.

I'd consider influencers to be more geared towards social media such as tictok and Instagram. Making smaller clips with more advertising. They are trying to "influence" people to buy stuff.

I honestly can't see the attraction in such content. But if people want to watch it, then that's their business.

_Kaiser_ · 07-11-2023 9:11am

I would class influencers in the same category as those obsessed with Instagram, Facebook or Twitter - generally best ignored.

For me the Internet provides hours of entertainment, information and facilitates my job, but when you venture into the social media end of it, it's best not to take it too seriously or at face value for the most part.

Sugar_Rush · 15-11-2023 8:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121333503#Comment_121333503

I've been considering this actually.

primarily the determination to never under any circumstances get a real job or make a real effort, while also maintaining a determination to achieve quick massive wealth.

And upon consideration......... I think society always has this type.

Some bottom feeder, scam artist, the type that is basically aversive to an honest days work.

Looking at Ireland as above:

This constitutes largely the incarnation of that demographic.

Perhaps they have some notion about "living fast" or something?

Point I'm making is, there'll always be that type.

And it's unfortunate but there's something about their phoney facade that ultimately seems to garner some kind of, respectability?

Or, appeal?

They may "fake it 'till they make it", or not make it as the case may be, but some do.

......

If that type is ever present, it also seems kind of "dog eat dog". So one bottom feeder comes along with a ploy or scam or alter-ego that can basically knock the contemporary bottom-feeder off the top spot.

I would have no objection if Irelands current "trash" culture was firmly dethroned as being the predominant "edgy, cool, trendy" alter-ego to adopt.

Even if it's replaced by this "try hard playboy" image, it's still a step up on the predominant "good to be bad" scum culture we're shouldered with as a nation currently.

Sugar_Rush · 15-11-2023 8:25pm

That bottom feeder, scam artist type:

For some reason I always think of the "Lester Diamond" character from "Casino".

"A low life, a pimp, a card shark, a scumbag".

Sugar_Rush · 15-11-2023 8:32pm

And lastly, in attempt to make sense of this fiasco, for some reason I've been watching on repeat, a certain genre of film about exactly that.

Scam artistry, hustling, get rich quick schemes.

Casino (1995)
The Hustler (1960)
The Color Of Money (1986)
8mm (1999)
Lord of War (2005)
High Roller, The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
Hard Eight (1996)
Pain and Gain (2013)
The Talented Mr Riply (1999)

And we were all very taken in by the "Get Rich Quick" fairy tale that was "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul".

newmember2 · 15-11-2023 8:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121372869#Comment_121372869

Yeh...I've just cooked up a fresh slate of meth hoping to be the next Heisenberg!

Rothko · 16-11-2023 1:10am

There's a weird obsession with that photo.

Greyfox · 16-11-2023 9:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121372869#Comment_121372869

If people can't tell the difference between someone giving you good advice and people selling you something then surely part of the blame is with the person who can't tell the difference