Taylor Lorenz, author of Extremely Online, explores the last twenty years of internet history, from early blogging and the mommy blogger phenomenon to the dominance of influencers on platforms like TikTok. They discuss the challenges faced by women influencers, the influence of advertisers, and the potential for a more inclusive and democratic internet.
Mommy bloggers challenged traditional women's media and destigmatized motherhood.
Facebook played a pivotal role in shaping the content creator and influencer industry.
Selfies have become a powerful tool for personal expression and challenging societal norms.
Deep dives
The Rise of Mommy Bloggers and Content Creation
The podcast episode discusses the rise of mommy bloggers in the early 2000s who used the internet as a platform to share their experiences and build communities. These women challenged the traditional women's media landscape and were praised for destigmatizing topics like postpartum depression and struggling with motherhood. The conversation also delves into the concept of content creation, highlighting how individuals, including the podcast host, have become content creators by running their own independent media companies on social media platforms. It touches on the lack of labor protections and the misconceptions surrounding this industry.
Facebook's Impact on the Influencer Industry
The podcast explores the role of Facebook in the development of the content creator and influencer industry. It mentions how Facebook's newsfeed feature transformed social networking and encouraged users to post content for an audience, setting the stage for people to become content creators. It also touches on the negative aspects associated with Facebook, including the platform's association with the rise of far-right content creators. The episode emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Facebook's influence in shaping the online landscape.
The Evolution of Selfies and the Internet's Influence
The conversation delves into the cultural impact of selfies and how they have become a symbol of control over one's image. It highlights the initial backlash and criticisms faced by those who embraced selfies, particularly teenage girls. The episode suggests that selfies allow individuals, especially women, to explore and share their personal experiences, challenging societal norms around self-expression. The hosts discuss the shift in online interactions with the advent of Facebook and later platforms like TikTok, where viral moments and constant exposure to new content have become the norm.
The Power of Women Taking Control of Their Own Stories
The podcast episode explores the backlash women face when they define their own narratives and take control of their own stories. It discusses how mommy bloggers in the past were seen as radical and outspoken for expressing their frustrations, which now seem quaint. The episode also highlights the shift towards aspirational content in the social media era, driven by advertisers' control and brand safety concerns. It acknowledges the women who navigated this shift, mentioning Reed Drummond as an example of a lifestyle influencer from that era who achieved success.
The Evolution and Influencer Culture Across Platforms
The podcast delves into the evolution of social media platforms and their impact on content creators and influencer culture. It mentions the rise of Vine as a transformative platform for mobile video, marking the beginning of the video revolution. The episode discusses how creators from various platforms, such as Vine, Instagram, and YouTube, started embracing the term 'influencer' as a platform-agnostic label. It also highlights the increasing recognition and compensation for online content creators, acknowledging their role in shaping the internet landscape while emphasizing the need for better compensation and addressing platform control.
“The creatures outside looked from influencer to human, and from human to influencer, and from human to influencer again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
Taylor Lorenz, author of Extremely Online, takes Sarah on a horror- and nostalgia-filled ride through the last twenty years of internet history. Then we try to make sense of what our internet future will be.
