In today's crazy social media obsessed world, I believe that there are two types of experts in various fields: the Certified and the Popular
The Certified
The Certified is an actual professional in some way. Social media sites give them this recognition because they have really earned this professional or expert status in real life. You can recognize a Certified a couple of different ways. Let's use Taylor Swift as an example.
On Twitter, Swift's been certified by the Twitter check mark. This is a badge given to anyone famous enough to signify that they are the one and only. So this account belongs to the real Taylor Swift.
This account does not, notice that it is not certified?
Other social media websites are more difficult to distinguish who is officially certified, but usually by looking around you can tell who is a professional and not just a parody or fan account. Like Taylor Swift's Instagram:
This account is obviously linked to Swift.
While looking on social media, I am more inclined to believe that someone is a professional if they are certified in some way or are a name that I can recognize. However, there is another kind of social media person that sometimes is regarded as an expert even though they might not be deserving of it.
The Popular
The popular can often be spotted with massive amounts of likes and comments on their posts that you start to wonder if perhaps that quick snap that they took on the beach was professionally done since so many people are raving about it. The popular seems to be that social media star, the one that wants to use social media to get them places or that person that accidentally stumbled upon social media fame. We look to these people as professionals in their respective social media platforms even though they are not professional photographers on Instagram, professional writers on Twitter, or professional videographers on Youtube.
Like this video:
THERE IS NO POINT TO THIS VIDEO. Why then has it been viewed this many times?!
Then you look at how many people subscribe to her channel:
My actual reaction to the number of subscribers.
Well, that picture sums up my feelings enough I think. Populars are people who do not have any professional experience and for some reason, end up being considered an expert in some form of entertainment, such as the millions of views on Youtube videos that are extremely stupid. People actually use these videos as a form of entertainment and then share them with others, giving the original poster some credibility as an entertaining film maker.
BONUS QUESTION:
What is your birthday?
The day I was born. It's next Saturday so I'm currently accepting birthday presents and treats.
*Please note that watching the above mentioned Youtube video is NOT recommended.
These are some really good thoughts! I think people often gain popularity and people like them even though they don't have qualifications that make them professional. Another example of this is Miranda Sings. She's gained so many followers, like the one you mentioned, just for singing terribly. It's weird how our society deems her as funny, but then tears apart other artists when they miss one note or something. Great post, Emily!
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