I think it's time we have a talk.

It's a talk about parasocial relationships.

Watch this video, timestamp at 22:48 in case it doesn't come through on the link below.

What it means is that your faves are NOT your friends.
Not you, or you, or even *you*.

Parasocial relationships are when you feel close to a performer of some sort. You react as though you have a legitimate social connection to them; this is heightened by the ease of communication social media provides us.

The relationship is one-sided.
It's on your side only. 2/

Performers are not your friends.
Even if they like your comments, or reply to your posts, or remember your name,
they are not your friends.

You don't know them. You know the role they play, you know the persona they project. 3/

This isn't a bad thing. Everyone does it. It's how we immerse ourselves in books and movies and music, how we enjoy art on a deep level.

It becomes a problem when you don't know, or you forget, what exactly your role in the parasocial relationship actually is. 4/

Your role is that of a consumer of the art.
You are a customer. Your views, your retweets, your merch buys, even your heartfelt appreciation - THAT is your contribution to the relationship.
That's it.

Yes, even you. Even if you think you're different, you are not. 5/

And knowing this,
consciously *knowing* this,
does NOT limit your enjoyment of the product you're consuming.

I promise, it doesn't. The art is still amazing. You can still enjoy the interactions.
Your mental health is simply better for knowing. 6/

It's time to take a step back and really consider whether you have a healthy parasocial relationship with the people you admire.

Some of you do not.

And that hurts you. You don't need to be hurting.

/end