Is it normal to be concerned about the rising cult of "popularity"?
People, especially younger people, seem to be increasingly measuring themselves by false ideas of popularity. This isn't a criticism but perhaps a reflection of so many television shows with "Idol" or "Talent" in the title. The concept of self-worth seems to have mutated into just a popularity contest, with the initial aim not to be "voted off" but the ultimate aim to get more votes than anyone else. People on these shows often develop an emotional back-story to invoke sympathy, and cry on cue while stating that winning this competition is "all they've ever wanted". As opposed to things like health, a strong family life, to do good, honest work, and to meet someone they'll always love.
The internet has allowed the spread of this kind of attention-seeking to the population at large. YouTube in particular, but also Twitter and Facebook. It's all about how many people view us, follow us, retweet us, "like" us. It's a very hollow kind of popularity, though. It doesn't impact on our life beyond that internal scorechart. We don't make a career from it, our lives aren't enriched. It's effectively pointless. You can't buy food with it, you can't donate it to others, you can't do anything with it except to continue seeking it lest your life suddenly seems worthless.
Worse, there are people who simply don't realise that even this fake popularity is earned; that they don't deserve it simply for existing. To realise you are not a hero(ine) in everyone's eyes can be deflating and can damage self-image further.
It even permeates IIN. I see many stories here where people bemoan the lack of attention they receive on Facebook or that they can't understand why every expressed thought doesn't instantly become an internet meme.
The question is: Have middle-aged TV producers failed the youth of both today and tomorrow by leading them up an unseemly blind alley in which what matters most is the aggregated judgement of internet strangers? As opposed to things that really matter, like how we live our life and what difference we make in the short time we have?