Project #6: "Followers Leaders"
I opted for topic #1: investigate the psychology of a “follower,” describing the motivations behind Social Media engagement. I personally look at social media as the world’s largest cocktail party. Followers are there to people-watch, to interact, to network, and to indulge (memes and cat videos are the prosecco and pigs-in-a-blanket of this get-together). A follower is someone who comes to the party – that is, they follow an account - because they identify with it. This account may be a brand, individual, location, cause, company, media outlet, et cetera. A follower attends the party – follows the account – because in it, they see their best selves reflected. Perhaps this means they are demonstrating their awareness and support of a particular charity. Or, by liking a brand such as Nike, they are publicly identifying with the qualities of that brand (sporty, popular). A bride who Instagrams photos of her wedding at a prestigious museum is showing the
