Read on Twitter
Creators can build parasocial relationships w/ other creators they “kinda sorta know but not really” because they think they’re exempt from respecting the boundaries that protect them from this type of parasocial interaction.
They aren’t exempt.
(definition of parasocial below) https://twitter.com/thelindsayellis/status/1349461644770852864
They aren’t exempt.
(definition of parasocial below) https://twitter.com/thelindsayellis/status/1349461644770852864
In fact, they are more likely to fall into this type of parasocial thinking because they actually DO have a higher likelihood of being able to become friends with them. So it seems like a possibility.
It can get very ugly when unchecked.
It can get very ugly when unchecked.
I have seen other creators form this type of parasocial relationship with me and it gets extremely uncomfortable and unhealthy very quickly.
It is not hard to imagine that if you are a woman, this can also get dangerous quickly.
It is not hard to imagine that if you are a woman, this can also get dangerous quickly.
I’m not going to lie and say that I haven’t fallen into this trap. I know so many YouTubers and they know other YouTubers I am a fan of and sometimes I fall into parasocial thinking.
“i had a chat with them a few times and they followed me on twitter, we’re friends right?”
“i had a chat with them a few times and they followed me on twitter, we’re friends right?”
It is scary because you don’t notice it until a while after it starts.
I think the best (& only) good option is to actively decide to stop building a closer relationship. Even if you have the chance through a mutual friend.
It is not a fair place to build a relationship from.
I think the best (& only) good option is to actively decide to stop building a closer relationship. Even if you have the chance through a mutual friend.
It is not a fair place to build a relationship from.
It’s why I don’t think it would be good for me to build a relationship with, for example, certain gaming youtubers.
They are all I watch and I think there is a degree of parasocial thinking I would need to undo before interacting with those people healthily.
They are all I watch and I think there is a degree of parasocial thinking I would need to undo before interacting with those people healthily.
Basically, Creators need to be hyper vigilant about their relationship with peers that they admire and vaguely know.
Not doing so creates an extremely toxic professional work environment for yourself and other creators.
Not doing so creates an extremely toxic professional work environment for yourself and other creators.
This is an extremely specific thread that might not be relevant to anyone except 3 people who see this but here we are.
If y’all are interested in another deep dive thread I wrote, here’s one ~ I did earlier ~ https://twitter.com/KhanStopMe/status/1304522897759895553?s=20
