So a lot is made of social media influencers. Some of them are talked about around here. But why do they influence anyone?
I’m old but I was young once and was more susceptible to outside influence. For example, I started drinking coffee at least partially because of a TV ad campaign pushing coffee. Not a brand, just the drink itself. It was called “The Coffee Achievers” ad campaign and you can see some of the ads on YouTube.
But here’s the deal. Those coffee ads featured David Bowie, Heart, Kurt Vonnegut, and Cicely Tyson, as well as others. People who really were achievers.
What puzzles me is being influenced by someone who has accomplished nothing beyond, well, being an influencer. That’s the thing right now, I guess: People who are famous because they got famous. They don’t really have amazing talent or creativity. They just are mostly LOUD.
So if you are influenced by these people…why? Is it because they make money? Isn’t that Asmongold guy just a Kardashian who plays games instead of flogging fashion? Are you really influenced by these people?
I get it if you are influenced by someone who shows great skills or creates stuff, a game developer or musician or an athlete or whatever. That makes sense to me. But I don’t understand being influenced by a person who just…talks loud.
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So is this basically, “back in my day!” The post? Because it seems like it is whining about how people are not doing the same things older celebs did.
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Ever seen a cat with a laser pointer?
About like that.
Why think for yourself when someone else will let you pay them to tell you what to think.
In a world of sheep, I’m pretty happy being a wolf, there’s only one downsi…
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OP, a lot of influence is involuntary. For example, these streamers just influenced you to make this post.
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It’s basically free advertising.
Give one $60 game copy to a big player on Twitch. And bam, 100,000s of people are exposed to your product.
Even better when the streamers are skilled and not just some random with no connection to the game or genre.
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Well lemme use an old timer example for you.Back before the internet you had local radio stations right? Each channel was free and everyone played something different. The local radio broadcast announcer is always someone local and if you enjoy their segement. Then wouldnt you have been excited and happy to meet or interact with them?
However your local radio broadcaster is not famous in the state or country. Just locally.
Thara today versions call influencers and twitch thots.
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There is a difference between “whining” and trying to understand something.
Actually I think the “famous just for being famous” thing started a long time ago. It’s just that it really took off like crazy in the last decade or so. And I wonder why.
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That can backfire if the game is bad. Like No Man’s Sky, for example. I heard they improved it, did it ever recover? What was the other game, the Bethesda thing. That went over well.
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I prefer to think for myself and come to my own conclusions about this game. None of the streamers have anything to say that I’m interested in hearing and certainly they don’t have any kind of expertise that makes their opinion any more informed than mine would be.
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Yeah, see…I wouldn’t have been excited. I mean, when I was a little kid I would have been excited to meet the host of a local kid’s show.
I guess I don’t really get the fame thing at all. I mean, I’ve met famous people, and it’s fun to talk with them but mostly fame is an impediment to talking with them. Like I never want to do those meet and greet things they have at concerts. And I don’t stand in line to get a book signed (all the autographed books I have are by writers I know or are gifts.)
So maybe I am just one of those oddballs who isn’t excited by fame. Which explains why I am puzzled by the topic of this thread, lol.
BTW it isn’t that I am not a fangirl. My favorite guitar looks like Joan Jett’s, stickers and all, and I made a high-pitched squee sound last night when I saw the new poster for “Picard,” the one that shows Captain Picard with his dog. I even have souvenirs from my favorite sports team. But I don’t idolize fame for fame’s sake.
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People invest in the things they like and enjoy…it’s pretty simple. If someone makes you laugh you’re bound to return for the laughs. That’s the main appeal of Asmongold. He’s entertaining. So, people watch him. It’s not really all that confusing. And, if you like someone, you’re more bound to listen to their suggestions (advertising). It’s really just classic human socialization. In the past it probably helped some dude sell papyrus scrolls with funny pictures. Now it’s Twitch subs.
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Oh okay! That’s helpful. I haven’t watched him much and must have not seen his funnier moments.
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They’re generally people with no real skills outside of BSing and running their mouths. They have accomplished getting a bunch of strangers to pay their bills for them.
I mean…you got strangers paying your bills for you while you sit in your Mom’s basement all day playing video games? Me either!
Having said that…I wouldn’t want to be that guy, I’m happy with more “real” accomplishments. But it sure would be nice to have a bunch of strangers paying my mortgage just 'cause I’m good at slinging BS. 
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I really didn’t get it at first either…but I went on his channel and watched his earlier videos, how far he’s come, and just found myself continuously watching. Most of the time on his stream he’s “in character.” A lot of the raging and trolling is satirical. And, he can be witty. I’m glad I watched him because I made a lot of assumptions about who he was and why people watched. He’s basically a WoW comedian who is passionate about the game and is decent at pvp.
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its a sad and lonely world, OP look on twitch, some of the biggest streamers ARENT even playing games!
they are literally “just chatting” to 10’s of thousands of sad and lonely people who want to feel not alone and special
people will PAY a streamer to just read their name out in chat as others then hear it and it gives validation to them ![:open_mouth:](https://d38bqls1q93fod.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/open_mouth.png?v=6" ":open_mouth:")
its a reflection of the society we live in sadly
human interaction is dead, people are sad and pathetic now it seems ![:frowning:](https://d38bqls1q93fod.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/frowning.png?v=6" ":frowning:")
depression is rampant
its so sad
i wish i could save all the kitties…
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Because people watch them and like them. Even if you, I, or anyone else thinks it’s silly.
/endthread
Slightly more seriously…
Being influenced isn’t always so obvious or conscious. Much of it is subconscious so asking those who are influenced really isn’t going to give you proper answers.
However it’s silly to discount these people as people who simply “talk loud”. For example, let’s say I like Asmongold. I think he’s funny or whatever. I ALSO agree with his opinions on the game. Because I agree with those opinions, if he’s saying good things about classic, I’m going to take note. I agree with his other opinions. We have similar taste. He likes classic. Ergo, I will probably like classic.
This isn’t some scooby-doo mystery.
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Gonna point out-- A lot of people don’t even realise they are being influenced by someone. The influence is often so subtle, they can’t pick up on it.
same reason every group of kids has a ‘leader’ of the pack if you’re loud people who are more insecure will let you think for them
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Dude think of it like this…streamers and influences are the buskers of the internet. Its a metaphorical tap dance in front of a collection hat on the street corner.
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It’s like asking why people like Conan or Jimmy Kimmel.
Because people find them entertaining, and on top of that they play the same game as you so people inherently feel more connected to that entertainer.
Not that complicated.
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