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This is a sad end to the search yesterday and the night before.
I'd like to speak about some of the hateful comments around "Instagram Influencer" https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/young-woman-from-toronto-who-was-lost-on-b-c-mountain-has-died-police-say-1.5268312
I'd like to speak about some of the hateful comments around "Instagram Influencer" https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/young-woman-from-toronto-who-was-lost-on-b-c-mountain-has-died-police-say-1.5268312
The first report of this missing person characterized her as an "Instagram influencer" and I have to question why someone chose to make that distinction.
It didn't serve any public safety purpose.
Would someone publish your job if you went missing?
It didn't serve any public safety purpose.
Would someone publish your job if you went missing?
As it turns out she had a small following and likely wouldn't be considered an "Instagram influencer" any more than I would, but let's delve deeper into the culture that's highlighting them as a "problem".
People hike for lots of reasons and for as long as there have been cameras people have taken photos of their exploits. As far as risk taking behaviour leading to fame and fortune goes, some of the first mountaineers took advantage of this fact.
People climb mountains for lots of reasons, and many do so at great expense and for no personal gain, but imagine you could fund a life of adventure just by the photos you took.
Many mountaineers do this today, it's a career path that just didn't exist before Social Media.
Many mountaineers do this today, it's a career path that just didn't exist before Social Media.
Somehow "Instagrammer" became toxic to a certain kind of older person who sees it as invalid, self promotion or for whatever reason, and this has become a value judgement on any activity they do.
Now Instagram has caused problems, it has greased the process that already existed of how people found new an interesting places to go.
Older SAR people used to dread the publication of a new guidebook because we knew where the calls would come from.
Older SAR people used to dread the publication of a new guidebook because we knew where the calls would come from.
My colleague who worked as a professional rescuer on the West Coast Trail for the last 10 or so years can attest, trail popularity increases rescues and creates the need for management. This predates Instagram by a century or so.
Now as for the idea that instagrammers somehow undertake riskier behaviour than the rest of the population, this is going to be very difficult to prove.
I am skeptical, given the irrational dislike certain mostly older people have for them. We certainly have no evidence.
I am skeptical, given the irrational dislike certain mostly older people have for them. We certainly have no evidence.
But really, does it matter.
I'll say it again. Does. It. Matter.
Does it change our public safety strategy?
Do the risks not exist regardless of why someone hikes a trail, and does the public safety messaging not take the same form regardless?
I'll say it again. Does. It. Matter.
Does it change our public safety strategy?
Do the risks not exist regardless of why someone hikes a trail, and does the public safety messaging not take the same form regardless?
My assertion: the reason someone hikes a trail can make a difference to the public safety strategy - it can change how you try to reach that audience.
But putting "Instagram Influencer" into the news release for a missing person while she is still missing is not that.
But putting "Instagram Influencer" into the news release for a missing person while she is still missing is not that.
Ironically, the backlash on social media has been the most toxic. It's a common occurrence for people to blame the victim. I still have a hard time dealing with the hatred and vitriol people express in cases like this.
Nobody starts their day thinking they're going to die.
Nobody starts their day thinking they're going to die.
