Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Behind the Screen: The Business of Social Media Meltdowns and Political Manipulation
11/11/24 | EBH

Posted on 11/11/2024 3:33:07 AM PST by EBH

As social media continues to dominate our lives, one pressing question remains largely unasked: How much are these influencers being paid to put their mental struggles on full display for the world to see?

We’ve all witnessed the increasingly bizarre, emotional outbursts, online meltdowns, and what often appear to be carefully curated “real-life dramas” shared by individuals on social media platforms. And as we’ve scrutinized these moments, a troubling thought comes to mind: Is this just an organic outpouring of personal distress, or is there a deeper, more calculated financial incentive at play? Could these influencers be receiving payment either directly from political organizations, such as the Democratic National Committee (DNC), or through third-party sources like influencer marketing agencies? The question is worth asking.

What we are witnessing is the unrestrained display of mental health issues in a public forum, and it’s not just about the individuals involved—it’s about the audiences they are reaching. Social media influencers often seem to be giving their followers permission to indulge in their own emotional crises. This is a dangerous form of mental validation, a feedback loop that reinforces illogical, often harmful thought patterns, making it more difficult for individuals to think critically or rationally. The emotional resonance of these influencers' posts can push people deeper into their own struggles, rather than helping them to resolve or even acknowledge them. In some cases, this can even involve children, who are exposed to the same manipulative content. It’s an ongoing and concerning trend that may be doing more harm than good.

Mainstream media (MSM) is certainly part of the problem, but social media influencers, too, have become crucial players in this drama. Many conservative critics are just starting to recognize the sheer pull of social media influence, and the lucrative opportunities it presents. The influencers we see online—particularly those who are part of the progressive wing of the political spectrum—are rarely acting out of pure emotional expression. Instead, many are paid to generate content that promotes certain ideologies, fuels outrage, or sparks emotional reactions. Social media platforms themselves reward these influencers for drawing in more followers and increasing engagement. The more followers they have, the more brands want to partner with them, and the more speaking engagements they secure. It’s a business model that thrives on chaos, drama, and division.

It’s important to recognize that many influencers are essentially actors in a scripted reality, playing out stories for monetary gain. In fact, the majority of what we see online in the form of "real-life" stories is little more than fictionalized content created around a kernel of truth. The key here is not to take what you see at face value, because much of it is carefully manufactured. I know this process intimately; my own experience on Instagram led to a book deal, and I can attest that social platforms actively promote creators who know how to play the game. YouTube, TikTok, and Rumble all provide detailed guides for content creators on how to get monetized and increase engagement. This means the content you see is not always an honest reflection of reality—it is often a polished narrative designed to sell something.

So, when you see a social media meltdown or an influencer’s emotional breakdown, consider this: Who is paying them to do this? Is there a hidden agenda behind their actions? Because, more often than not, these influencers are not just speaking from personal experience—they are part of a broader, orchestrated effort to manipulate public perception. This is especially true when the content aligns with progressive, left-leaning narratives that validate the emotions and grievances of their followers, creating an echo chamber of ideological reinforcement.

In the end, much like the scripted drama of reality television, what we see online often bears little resemblance to real life. It’s a show, and the influencers are its actors. But behind the scenes, there’s a lucrative business model at play—a money trail that supports a growing propaganda machine. Whether it’s through direct payments, sponsorships, or other monetization strategies, influencers are being paid to perpetuate these emotional narratives, pushing a political and cultural agenda. And as consumers of this content, we must recognize that the emotional chaos we witness online may be just another product designed to manipulate, divide, and ultimately profit from our attention.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; Politics
KEYWORDS: mentalhealth; msm; socialmedia; tds; tempertantrums
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last
Social media, the most effective propaganda tool ever created.

While we are often focused on the effects on children, we are witnessing the full-blown effects on adults as democrats display their meltdowns online.

When a business model has the power to cause such harm should something be done about it?

1 posted on 11/11/2024 3:33:07 AM PST by EBH
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: EBH

A lot of the liberal meltdown videos are likely just people making fun of liberal meltdowns for payment.


2 posted on 11/11/2024 3:41:56 AM PST by FLNittany (Autotune is jealous of Karen Carpenter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Brilliant piece! Thank you.


3 posted on 11/11/2024 3:54:28 AM PST by ma_che62 (Bring back "Fat Shaming" and the obesity epidemic will disappear)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

I don’t watch or follow social media. That said decades ago I realized that so called reality shows were as scripted as much as any drama or comedy. After that I didn’t watch them either.


4 posted on 11/11/2024 4:05:13 AM PST by xp38
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

ABSOLUTELY NOT! “crazy people don’t know they are” fully applies to anyone and everyone that would display their inner selves to the general public for all to see. how many normal people go fruitloops in the grocery store while shopping with neighbors or at Church with people they know? how many of YOU, the FR family, would go out and make a fool of yourself in front of others (we reserve that for the posting world) in a world where there literally cameras everywhere and your mom, dad or spouse may see you? the one good thing is other people can easily identify who are the REAL crazies and laugh at them as well as the most important and long lasting thing we as a society can do with them...marginalize them.


5 posted on 11/11/2024 4:06:10 AM PST by Qwapisking ("IF the Second goes first the First ges secnd" L.Star)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Qwapisking

I am reading your post as sarcasm, LOL.

Seriously though, do you know how much a good viral video can affect a person’s income?

And these people get paid to act the fool.


6 posted on 11/11/2024 4:09:49 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: EBH
Social media, the most effective propaganda tool ever created.

When I was growing up, my four media choices were socialist ABC, socialist CBS, socialist NBC, or socialist PBS.

7 posted on 11/11/2024 4:15:49 AM PST by Right_Wing_Madman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH
I think the extreme far-left Democrats are handling the election results very well.

The prestigious Georgetown University is hosting a post-election day "Self-Care Suite" for all students who remain absolutely infuriated that President Trump won again. Georgetown provided the following schedule for its students who remain totally "stressed out" by President Trump's landslide reelection (this is actually real):

10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Tea, Cocoa, and Self-Care
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Legos Station
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.: Healthy Treats and Healthy Habits
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: Coloring and Mindfulness Exercises
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Milk and Cookies
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Legos and Coloring
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Snacks and Self-Guided Meditation

Not to be outdone by their leftist brethren, the following blue-pill-state universities are also providing "self-care" suites and other coping mechanisms for their disoriented TDS students: Virginia Tech ("therapy dogs"), University of Michigan ("Art Therapy and Post-Election Processing"), University of Oregon ("therapy goats, dogs, and ... 'Quacktavious the Therapy Duck'"), Harvard, Columbia (in New York City), and President Trump's alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania (professors giving election-grieving students the day off from classes), the prestigious Dartmouth College ("decompression dinner and listening circles"), and #1-ranked Princeton University offered "Art Build" events for election-depressed students. (My comment: This is why VP-Elect J.D. Vance will be elected President in 2028 and 2032.)

Some professors sent emails to students promising they won't discriminate against anyone who actually voted for Trump.

And here's an actual message from a post-PhD student at prestigious Stanford University on social media: "Post doc at Stanford here. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with the stress of Trump being elected? I have endless fears about the state of society. Are there any support groups?"

So, in conclusion, I am sick and tired of all my fellow freepers falsely claiming that Democrats aren't handling the election results well. As you can see from the above, Democrat college students easily handled the election results with flying colors! (I give all of them an "A+" for the semester but I'm also giving them the rest of the semester off, so they can fully "decompress." It's the least I can do for them because they are our future leaders.)

8 posted on 11/11/2024 4:20:43 AM PST by gw-ington (Congratulations to President Trump #45 & #47 and Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

What is most amusing is how many of these meltdowns happen in the front seat of a car...


9 posted on 11/11/2024 4:23:42 AM PST by Tuxedo (Floating garbage)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Interesting article and well worth considering.

Makes a lot of sense.


10 posted on 11/11/2024 4:39:56 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tuxedo

Insider information of note; the front seat of a car is one of the best soundproof and sound or echo deadening areas to record in. It is how the sound is perceived by your phone versus standing in your living room, recording the same message. You sound better in the front seat of your car.


11 posted on 11/11/2024 4:41:49 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Or they’re just attention whores who think that someone actually cares about how they feel.


12 posted on 11/11/2024 4:42:14 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

I agree but it also makes the reaction look completely staged and not spontaneous. It loses a lot of the effect. Makes for some good unhinged videos on LibsofTikTok though...


13 posted on 11/11/2024 4:45:16 AM PST by Tuxedo (Yuge 2024!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: metmom

Video makers have reported that TikTok pays between $100 and $600 per million views in the Creator Rewards Program. Most earnings estimates seem to hover around $500 per million views. However, some creators report maxing out at over $1,000 per million views!

Facebook: Generally, an influencer with 1 million followers can earn anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more for a sponsored post.

While it can vary wildly based on views and ad rates, one YouTuber with roughly a million subscribers reported making between $14,600 and $54,600 a month. In general, a YouTuber this size might expect to make between $2.50 and $10 for every thousand views they get, after YouTube takes its revenue share


14 posted on 11/11/2024 4:49:32 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Tuxedo

It loses effect on YOU, but not their followers.


15 posted on 11/11/2024 4:50:35 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: metmom

Now consider the level of censorship that occurs through these platforms.


16 posted on 11/11/2024 4:53:02 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Excellent. Saving this one.
God love you…


17 posted on 11/11/2024 5:10:56 AM PST by OriginalChristian (The end of the American Republic as founded, began when the first Career Politician was elected...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OriginalChristian

Hmmm…wondering now how the election laws would apply to the paid schills?


18 posted on 11/11/2024 6:03:21 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: PrincessB

Ping


19 posted on 11/11/2024 8:31:31 AM PST by EBH (America Blackmailed, The True Story of the World War...Coming Soon (1/21-))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

20 posted on 11/11/2024 8:50:38 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson