Influencers

[Silver]

Necessary or lame?



What is an influencer?

[Sal]

Influencers are for people unable to do that insurmountable task of thinking for themselves.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Not enough options in the poll.  I'd vote 'Unavoidable'.

And I don't really agree that it's about being unable to think for yourself.  Humans are inherently imitative, and being subject to influences is an inescapable part of that.  To wit:





Boru

[The Valkyrie]

Also need a 'flammable' option in the poll.

[zebo-the-fat]

These people have never influenced me! (except in the sense that I was influenced to watch something else!)

[Sal]

Not enough options in the poll.  I'd vote 'Unavoidable'.

And I don't really agree that it's about being unable to think for yourself.  Humans are inherently imitative, and being subject to influences is an inescapable part of that.  To wit:





Boru

Insofar that people lack critical thinking skills, then yes, people are influenced then.

I'm not saying that the people who think for themselves can't be swayed either way by someone or something, just that it everything goes through a giant filter we call 'thinking about it'.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Not enough options in the poll.  I'd vote 'Unavoidable'.

And I don't really agree that it's about being unable to think for yourself.  Humans are inherently imitative, and being subject to influences is an inescapable part of that.  To wit:





Boru

Insofar that people lack critical thinking skills, then yes, people are influenced then.

I'm not saying that the people who think for themselves can't be swayed either way by someone or something, just that it everything goes through a giant filter we call 'thinking about it'.

But in general - and specifically in the video - critical thinking is not an issue when it comes to being influenced.  It's a demonstration of how we can't help being influenced. No one sees an ice cube tray and employs critical thinking to avoid taking a selfie with an ice cube tray. It's not really a higher brain function.

Boru

[Ranjr]

Is influencer the same as celebrity spokesperson?  Because, while I don't take advice from influencers, I consider advice from artists, engineers, or scientists I admire.  For instance, if John Petrucci recommends Mesa Boogie amps, I'll consider that.  Then settle for something cheaper.  And who didn't buy a pair of stretchy karate jeans like Chuck Norris wore.

[Sal]

Insofar that people lack critical thinking skills, then yes, people are influenced then.

I'm not saying that the people who think for themselves can't be swayed either way by someone or something, just that it everything goes through a giant filter we call 'thinking about it'.

But in general - and specifically in the video - critical thinking is not an issue when it comes to being influenced.  It's a demonstration of how we can't help being influenced. No one sees an ice cube tray and employs critical thinking to avoid taking a selfie with an ice cube tray. It's not really a higher brain function.

Boru

I'd call that manipulation. Given how we can be affected by environment via osmosis, then yes, you can manipulate people by induction (indirectly), which is what he does in the vid. Is that really thinking about it though?

[no one]

I am not influenced in the slightest.