Is there any essential difference between a user operating on online social media and a pilot flying a drone? You fire words and images rather than missiles, yes, but think of your online self as a drone rather than an avatar. Buzzing like a fly over a virtual landscape, seeking a target. It makes a sort of sense. Trolls weaponize their personas. But the drone personas can be autonomous now. No need for meat on the keys, tapping on the screen. Just the eyes

#AI #socialmedia #drones #parasocial

[Repost] Aesthetics and Financial Survival

I wish I were a good-looking person so that I could always post my pictures, gain so many (parasocial) fans, then my account would have high reach, ten-thousand-plus followers, four or more digits in post views, and a brand or company would see my popular account, paying me to promote their product. I would be happy because someone supported me financially. Nowadays, being good-looking is the best, I think. It might minimise poverty and loneliness, I guess. Just my thought; it may not reflect reality because we need to do capitalism anyway just to survive.

Edit 1: An AI challenged this view:-

"Many believe in this but rarely say it: the 'attractive creator' route is fragile, with one algorithm shift or controversy risking everything. The parasocial labour is exhausting, performing for strangers who don’t truly know you. Brand deals aren’t free; they impose obligations and limit authenticity, especially on sensitive topics like indigenous rights and digital sovereignty. Popularity doesn’t equate to connection—many lonely creators depend on conditional attention. Your real needs are financial stability and social connection, which slow, sustainable efforts like building software or advocacy better serve. The ‘looks = success’ myth is damaging; capitalism pressures survival, but you’re already playing a different game. What prompted this reflection—an aside or a current struggle?"

ⓘ Repost, because I accidentally deleted it.

#PrettyPrivilege #SocialMedia #Capitalism #ContentCreator #FinancialSurvival #InfluencerLife #Parasocial #SystemicIssues #Followers #BrandDeals #Loneliness #RealityCheck #EconomicSurvival #SocialMediaGrowth #DigitalEconomy #creators

I just saw a picture of someone, and in the comments, the author said: "Follow my IG: @<username>." Then I replied: "Will you follow me back too? Minimising the glorification of parasocial relationships." I hope there will be a response, lol.

#Parasocial #Instagram #SocialMedia #FollowBack #Mutuals #OnlineDynamics #InternetCulture #ParasocialRelationships #InstagramComment #SocialMediaNorms #DigitalCulture #HumanConnection #Critique

Parasocial is what happens when platforms engineer a one-sided connection to feel mutual. The streamer greets you because your name surfaced. They thank you because that's the transactional norm. After a year, you feel like you know them. They likely don't remember you between streams. That asymmetry is the product, not a bug.

#parasocial #socialmedia #streaming #psychology #connection #digital #relationships #technology #attention #culture #internet #awareness #media #truth #society