It has really come home to me in the last couple of weeks that I am not a part of the young and hip generation, no matter how young I feel inside my head and heart. (Do they still say hip, or is that another way I have identified I am [late] middle aged? And I am asking myself, was I ever hip to begin with? Young? Definitely. But hip? Hm. Probably not.)
I have been seeing a lot in the news about a young woman who is reportedly no longer speaking to her parents because she blames them for ending her "career" as a Social Media Influencer. [Never mind her own role in this whole debacle, which I won't even get into. Personal responsibility doesn't seem to be A Thing with this group.] Apparently this girl (and many others just like her) has made a small fortune being flown around the world by various companies she "represented" for the sake of flashing her photo having a good time on their dime, and people actually paid attention. I can't believe any major company handed out these types of freebies for no reason, so obviously, it must bring them business.
But what has she done to earn the privilege of influencing people, I wonder? I am baffled by the idea that some kid no one has ever really heard of sells products simply because she puts her picture on instagram or Twitter or whatever her preferred format is. I get the idea of celebrities selling products because they are already famous. People admire them, rightly or wrongly, and believe that by using that product or service they, too, can live like a celebrity. I don't think it is wise to do something just because someone famous tells you to, but at least I understand the impulse. But these influencers? Who ever heard of them? We might have heard of their parents, because it seems most of them have famous or ultra wealthy parents. But them? I literally just don't get it.
Olivia Jade Giannulli is famous because her parents are Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli. As far as I can see, she has done absolutely nothing on her own to warrant the world at large paying any attention whatsoever to her. So why on earth do people "follow" her? [That is a serious question. I really don't understand this and I would like to.] Why do companies pay her a small fortune to sell their products for them?
And what on earth is her backup plan when she hits 30 and is no longer young and nubile, when people are more willing to overlook her lack of... substance as a human being? And I don't imagine its just her. Male or female, although the ones I have heard about seem to be overwhelmingly very young, attractive females, I suspect the same can be said for most of them.
Her entire life plan appears to be "building her brand" and selling stuff people don't actually need so she can get rich off other people's fantasies. But how does an unknown 18 year old even have a brand. I admit it. I am clueless.
I realize this has worked out brilliantly for the Kardashians, the original "influencers." But they were unique, original, something new and different, and not surprisingly [and I seriously hate to say this, because I can't stand them] they appear to have actually worked pretty hard and constantly adapted to remain relevant. You can dog them to your heart's content, certainly I do whenever I hear about them, but they do actually appear to have a pretty strong work ethic and some business savvy. I try to be fair and give credit where credit is due, no matter how much I despise them and the picture they are selling.
I have noticed, in fact, that most people who change the world are original thinkers who started from a solid beginning of strong work ethics and made their ideas accessible to the world. No matter what their metier, they do something completely new and different, even if the original idea is already old. Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs, Martin Luther, Leonardo, Picasso, Vivaldi, the list is endless. All of them started with an idea, and single mindedly worked to make that idea become a reality.
How does this work for all the camera hungry merchandisers out there who are simply salespeople selling a product? As soon as sales drop, so too does their value, and their revenue stream. And then what do they have left?
Over the years, we have watched a lot of children of celebrities talk about how difficult their lives are because of the fame their parents enjoyed. It is easy to dismiss their complaints, because they have lived the good life which comes with wealth and privilege, but perhaps that is a little unfair. Too much, too soon, too easily seems to bring troubles of its own, and those troubles seem to be pretty serious a lot of the time.
Being mature gives me perspective. Call me crazy, but these parents have failed their children by not teaching them some of the most important life lessons they needed to learn. They gave too much without exacting some wage in exchange [no, not everything is about money,] and their children are paying a very high price. Everyone makes poor decisions, especially when they are young. Actions have consequences, and they are not always pleasant. Rising above them shows your character. Life lessons are expensive, but you will decide if the cost was worth it in the end. (Spoiler alert: It is.)
To Olivia, and all those other young people hitching their wagon to what will ultimately be a falling star [I am old enough to understand nothing lasts forever, think beta video and 8 track tapes] enjoy the time and benefits of this easy "work," but you'd best also find a passion and do something to improve your mind and resume. Put some of that energy into making the world a better place.
So, I am going to be presumptuous and give you the advice your parents should have given you. Work hard and you will find there are benefits to self-satisfaction way beyond financial rewards. Don't let your mistakes define your life. Have the character to accept the consequences of your decisions without playing the victim blame game [sorry, she definitely knew she was not qualified to be accepted at a competitive uni] and build on them to improve yourself.
I hope a lot of people learn from this whole sorry episode. Life isn't fair, but no one, including your parents, can ensure your happiness or success in life. That comes from within, and has to do with your own heart and spirit. Somehow, I doubt flying around the world selling a photoshopped version of your life to convince other people how great it is to be you will sustain anyone through the hardships that are bound to come, one way or another. Maybe I'm wrong, but from watching this sad mess develop, and especially how the various parties have responded, I have to say, as much as the world has changed, the fundamentals of a good life have not. And that is where you find your peace.
