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This is a reminder to practice Parasocial Distancing. https://twitter.com/CaseyExplosion/status/1352666130142392329
You owe it to yourself to be able to stop watching any creator/streamer just as easily as you might start.
They like to say they're "not your friends", and they're right. However, many tend to press the boundaries of the unequal relationship they have with their audience.
They like to say they're "not your friends", and they're right. However, many tend to press the boundaries of the unequal relationship they have with their audience.
We're in a time now when we're almost entirely cut off from social relationships, and content creators of all kinds are working to maximize their hold on the people watching them; bc those people can't go out and do anything else.
It's an industry and a job for a lot of them; and they want to extract a certain amount of "brand loyalty" from you, while not feeling beholden to you in any way at all.
They'd rather not examine the idea of how little "loyalty" you might owe them, under these terms.
They'd rather not examine the idea of how little "loyalty" you might owe them, under these terms.
So it's up to you to examine that yourself. It's time to become more "casual" about your following of any creator, bc many of them are pretty casual about you. Save your "loyalty" for people you can talk to. Who aren't "on the clock" in their heads when they talk to you.
This shouldn't have to be said, but the way we're cooped up; we get weirdly attached to the people we do see, even on a screen. It's time to start maintaining healthy boundaries with them; and that goes both ways. Parasocial relationships are far more rewarding to them than you.
Someday, we'll be allowed to resume social living, where your time and emotional energy will be infinitely better spent. Best prepare for that early, by lowering the level of any parasocial relationships you have now.
Remember, you're "not their friends"; nor are they yours./
Remember, you're "not their friends"; nor are they yours./
