¢ The quantification of social media Have an idea for a story? M opinions@theotherpress.ca ¢ Frugal feud ¢ Wild animals are NOT interested in we lOJa oes The quantification of social media >» We shouldn't obsess about our number of followers and likes money. Many brands pay users with large followings to post content about their brands. According to a Forbes article by Clare O’Connor, “Fellow fitness influencer Lyzabeth Lopez, creator of the Hourglass Workout, charges between $3,000 and $5,000 per post, and between $20,000 and $100,000 per campaign.” Senior marketing professional Brittany Hennessy also broke down the amount of money social media influencers can earn. “Per-post influencers can make anywhere from $500 a post, some of them are making $30,000 a post,” said Hennessy in an interview with Business Insider. Social media users can also spend several hours on dozens of platforms to help them to Naomi Ambrose Staff Writer ke West recently made headlines once again for another one of his controversial statements. West tweeted about having an option to turn off the visibility of a social media user’s number of followers and likes. While many of us might be quick to dismiss Kanye’s statements, I think this time his words are worth exploring—especially in this age of excessive social media consumption and production. Let’s first examine the definition of social media. At its core, social media can be described as the use of various devices and systems to create and share different types of digital and online content. The use of the devices to create and share the content also involves engaging with the content via comments and likes. The focus, from the definition, revolves around the act of content creation and engagement. Does the definition : figure out the monetary worth include followers and likes? No, not at all. who can get the largest number of followers __ results in countless Instagram follower of their Instagram account, I think if we focus on the true purpose of in the shortest time frame. Dozens of growth accounts. A similar search on based on the number of followers that they social media, this unhealthy obsession over —_ companies and entrepreneurs frequently Twitter yields similar results. have. . ; ; ; the number of followers and likes we have emerge, claiming to increase an Instagram On the other hand, the users with It’s interesting to think how social can be reduced, or Twitter user’s followers. hundreds, thousands, and millions of media might evolve with less focus on the Eliminating our large follower Sometimes, users see ads in their followers may not support having an number of followers and likes. Perhaps obsession could also reduce the feed from entrepreneurs and startups option to hide the number of followers there will be more focus on creating and competitive and monetization-driven that specialize in follower growth. A quick and likes that one has. After all, users sharing meaningful and valuable content nature of social media. It is a race to see Instagram search for increasing followers with a large following can make a lot of that educates, motivates, and entertains. Frugal feud » Don’t look down on thrift stores/dollar stores just because they’re cheap Jessica Berget know what to look for. In fact, I have goes to charity. Dollar stores also have a second-hand. However, on the other Opinions Editor found in my experiences shopping both lot of household essentials for dirt cheap. hand it makes me happy that too many first and second-hand that I get a better Where else are you going to get a shower people aren't into it—so | can reap all the here are so many things about thrift quantity and quality of things than I curtain for $2.50? benefits. You don't have to like thrift shops and dollar stores that I love. I could would at mainstream first-hand stores, I can't help but roll my eyes when or cheap dollar store junk, but don’t judge spend hours looking at all the ridiculous where they sell cheaper-quality clothing people make a stink about the quality others who do, and realize that the idea of knickknacks, nightlights, and discount for double, sometimes triple the price. of a store just because it’s cheap or “expensive equals better quality” is a farce. denim. In no other place can you find There have been times where I have miniature disco balls, turtlenecks, and purchased five articles of clothing at - glowsticks for a lower price except for popular retail store for about $60, whereas | these emporiums of cheap treasure. The at a thrift shop I can get five articles of best part? Youre never going to break clothing for less than $20, and they’re the bank shopping at one of these fine usually better-quality material. So, the establishments. idea that something is “better” merely Yet sometimes when | share with because it is more expensive is silly. people where I get my clothes, or my Additionally, buying yourself toys passion for haunting various dollar stores at the dollar store is a great way to make and Salvation Army branches, I’m met you feel better because who doesn't love with disdain and contempt. You like buying themselves dumb little presents buying cheap junk and second-hand (especially if they’re only a buck)?! clothes? You like buying clothes that other It’s fine if dollar stores and thrift people have sweated in? You bet your shopping ain't your thing, but you sweet keister I do. shouldn't shame or look down on people People seem to have this idea that if who do enjoy them. For people with low something is cheap or second-hand, that income, thrift stores are the only ways 3 means it’s bad quality. It’s a weird stigma they can shop for clothing. It’s also eco- > that comes with living under capitalism, friendly since you're buying recycled = but it’s simply not true. Most low-budget clothing and better for society because the s stores have great quality things if you money you spend in thrift stores usually 3