Throughout the time I’ve been on social media, I’ve witnessed the same phenomenon happen over and over.
No matter if it’s Twitter followers, Klout “influence” scores, or Facebook Likes, we can’t seem to get enough of popularity contests. These contests bring out the most obnoxious behaviors as hoards of people (and companies) beg for attention and validation.
Instead of focusing on earning attention, these people seek to cut the line.
Their yardstick is not value or quality but quantity.
Vanity are the metrics of those not confident enough in their own value, or gracious enough of the network they’ve earned.
They could spend all that time promoting others that do great work or deepening their relationships with their current network. Alas, the lure of new fans and fresh impressions is too appealing.
So here’s to the dream of Social Media that we woke up from far too soon.