Instagram influencers and other signs of the rot in American popular culture
“An influencer is an individual who has the power to affect purchas(ing) decisions of others because of his/her authority, knowledge, position.” (The Influencer Marketing Club). No matter their probable lack of world perspective not requiring much background in history, literature, social science, the maths, bio-science, geo-science and the rest, the influencer’s value is measured by his or her power over the purchaser of goods.
Good bone structure, smooth skin, the monotonous, never fully completed toothy smile is what the “influencer” requires in the late consumer age. Olivia “Jade” Giannulli whose parents bribed her into The University of Southern California through the fraility of a few USC authority figures has millions of followers and subscribers on Instagram which does not teach much literature, history, math, or science but on which she may hawk to her few million minions her own “branded makeup palette” connected with Sephora.  Â
“I don’t know how much of school I’m gonna attend,” Giannulli said in August. “But I do want the experience of, like, game days, partying … I don’t really care about school, as you guys all know.” -- Giannulli
For such benighted figures one remains hopeful for a gentle passage into some structured form of learning, something beyond selling makeup, something offering just a bit of perspective concerning the world she is “influencing.” Better for her, better for the world “out there.”
Tommy Trojan, University of Southern California “Fight On!”