Ice cream truck makes Instagram 'stars' pay double
Social media and 'influencers' are not going away. Instead of being critical and dismissive I would rather try and accept this fundamental change in human interaction. It is another step from collectivism where everyone is paying for their own icecream to the next level of individualism.<p>Humanity will have a lot more 'influencers' or 'stars' who stand out and have incredible influence. This can be entertainers who have a billion followers, or software developers who make a living as speakers and 'evangelists', but can also mean political influence: The last elections in Germany were massively impacted by a polarizing video from a blue haired Youtuber - why shouldn't that guy run for office himself next time? There are still many institutions and gatekeepers due for disruption.<p>This is economically fueled by advertising. Firstly, using influencers to present a product is fundamentally stronger than classic advertising. Secondly, it's cheaper for the advertiser, while the influencer just needs a few thousands/month to quit their job.