Election Year or Fear!

[Ram Pant]

Following the imprisonment of Reform's Welsh Leader for being a Russian Spy, we now have Matthew Aplin arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Aplin was going to be announced as a Reform candidate in this May's Senned elections.

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse or any weirder... Reform prove you wrong, again.

[SithHappens]

Trump turns down "the UK offer of 2 aircraft carriers. We don't need people joining the war after it's already been won". We do HAVE 2 of them, but isn't one currently being serviced as it doesn't work properly? Would we really send both to the same location?

The US have admitted they did murder over 150 young girls now in the school bombing.

Im glad our PM is acting with common sense and dignity unlike Farage, Truss and Badenoch who are salivating over the illegal war.

[swaledale]

Have you seen and heard Hegseth, he is totally deranged. He acts as if its some video game!!

Now Bliar has added his view, that the UK should have backed Trump! Yes Tony we know you were so eager to brown nose Bush and are basically another so called Christian war monger, so lacking in judgement that your prepared to work with Trump on Gaza, now sod off back to retirement!

Truly we are surrounded by dangerous and unstable people who get all excited about death and destruction, so long as it ain't their butts being exposed!!

Now we have the **** scared influencers sucking up to Dubai authorities, becuase they know that if they actually say whats happening and express any sentiment that isn't in accordance with what the authorities approve of, they will lose the right to live there!

Imagine living in an dictatorship, with few rights for most citizens and pretending what an amazing place it is?

[Geoff Parkstone]

Can someone explain to me the point of an influencer? Who do they influence - I certainly don't know anyone who takes any notice of them. What value do they add? I know I'm the wrong generation, but honestly if all the thousands of them in Dubai got wiped out in an Iranian strike, would anyone notice still less care.

[SithHappens]

Can someone explain to me the point of an influencer? Who do they influence - I certainly don't know anyone who takes any notice of them. What value do they add? I know I'm the wrong generation, but honestly if all the thousands of them in Dubai got wiped out in an Iranian strike, would anyone notice still less care.

Im too old too, its all about followers isnt it which i guess enables them to get sponsorship and advertising revenue.

Mostly it seems to be about looking good and going on holiday or wearing nice clothes.

Its all about posting content online, its just a step up though from those who use Facebook and Instagram to post to show what a great life they have, but most likely in reality you have a **** life.

If life is so great there is no need to post to convince others what a perfect existence you lead. One of my wife's best friends is always posting about how perfect her life is and what a wonderful husband she has, but in reality she is hates him and is just with him for the financial stability and lifestyle.

[Geoff Parkstone]

No no value to wider society at all then. Just vacuous.

As Betjeman would say of Slough "Come friendly bombs.."

[ramAnag]

Have you seen and heard Hegseth, he is totally deranged. He acts as if its some video game!!

Now Bliar has added his view, that the UK should have backed Trump! Yes Tony we know you were so eager to brown nose Bush and are basically another so called Christian war monger, so lacking in judgement that your prepared to work with Trump on Gaza, now sod off back to retirement!

Truly we are surrounded by dangerous and unstable people who get all excited about death and destruction, so long as it ain't their butts being exposed!!

Now we have the **** scared influencers sucking up to Dubai authorities, becuase they know that if they actually say whats happening and express any sentiment that isn't in accordance with what the authorities approve of, they will lose the right to live there!

Imagine living in an dictatorship, with few rights for most citizens and pretending what an amazing place it is?

So disappointed in Blair. The finest PM in my lifetime as far as domestic policies were concerned (imo) but you’d think he’d have learned to shut up given his foreign policy screw ups.

[swaledale]

Can someone explain to me the point of an influencer? Who do they influence - I certainly don't know anyone who takes any notice of them. What value do they add? I know I'm the wrong generation, but honestly if all the thousands of them in Dubai got wiped out in an Iranian strike, would anyone notice still less care.

Ah but you plough your own furrow in life GP, milions and I mean millions don't! They desperately follow a range of people so that they are in the "in" crowd.

So the short answer is yes, a considerable number of people would miss these idiots rambling on about anything from make up to how to be a "man" in todays world.

I mean if a particular dress that a "princess" or other so called celebrities wear sells out in hours simply because some people are unable to make their own judgement, then there is clearly a market for "influencing" people.

Basically sheeples, many people need to be told to what wear, how to act and what to believe, etc. etc. Sad really but thats life it seems.

[swaledale]

So disappointed in Blair. The finest PM in my lifetime as far as domestic policies were concerned (imo) but you’d think he’d have learned to shut up given his foreign policy screw ups.

Mm I always found him a bit of a disappointment, yes domestically his government did many things, but essentially were Thacherite in many others. Gordon Brown was for me much smarter, but lacked Blair's charisma and ability to make quick decisions.

Since then of coursem Blair has shown himself to be the shameless grifter he always was.

[Andy_Faber]

Im too old too, its all about followers isnt it which i guess enables them to get sponsorship and advertising revenue.

Mostly it seems to be about looking good and going on holiday or wearing nice clothes.

Its all about posting content online, its just a step up though from those who use Facebook and Instagram to post to show what a great life they have, but most likely in reality you have a **** life.

If life is so great there is no need to post to convince others what a perfect existence you lead. One of my wife's best friends is always posting about how perfect her life is and what a wonderful husband she has, but in reality she is hates him and is just with him for the financial stability and lifestyle.

My youngest daughter has reached 'influencer' status on the platform she uses, her subject being a niche area of aerospace and aimed mainly but not exclusively at females, who are of relevance to the 'niche' more than males. She chooses not to 'monetise' her thread (or whatever its called) at present as that's not what she set it up for, but the platform she uses certainly is, through adverts that precede and interrupt her posts. I see it as a worthwhile, and slightly noble, activity in her case, and I'm aware that its had a positive impact on the lives of a number (a few) of her followers.

As for me, I've used 'influencers' quite a lot, in the areas of car purchase, automotive repair techniques and holiday destinations to name just a few, and if they ask me to like/ subscribe/ follow/ whatever their posts, pages or channels, presumably as a way of monetising their 'content' I do so, they've helped me at no charge to me so why shouldn't I return the favour, although I'm never 'influenced' as such, just looking for answers. These are 'normal' people although I do get vintage car restoration tips off a couple of 'good ol boys' who would give some on here the collywobbles just based on the merest hint they they are redneck republicans

Yes there are some folk making money out of the weaknesses of the impressionable, and more than a few of the 'look at my perfect life' cohort, but as with most activities its the outer edges of the activity that these folk inhabit, just IMO

[SithHappens]

My youngest daughter has reached 'influencer' status on the platform she uses, her subject being a niche area of aerospace and aimed mainly but not exclusively at females, who are of relevance to the 'niche' more than males. She chooses not to 'monetise' her thread (or whatever its called) at present as that's not what she set it up for, but the platform she uses certainly is, through adverts that precede and interrupt her posts. I see it as a worthwhile, and slightly noble, activity in her case, and I'm aware that its had a positive impact on the lives of a number (a few) of her followers.

As for me, I've used 'influencers' quite a lot, in the areas of car purchase, automotive repair techniques and holiday destinations to name just a few, and if they ask me to like/ subscribe/ follow/ whatever their posts, pages or channels, presumably as a way of monetising their 'content' I do so, they've helped me at no charge to me so why shouldn't I return the favour, although I'm never 'influenced' as such, just looking for answers. These are 'normal' people although I do get vintage car restoration tips off a couple of 'good ol boys' who would give some on here the collywobbles just based on the merest hint they they are redneck republicans

Yes there are some folk making money out of the weaknesses of the impressionable, and more than a few of the 'look at my perfect life' cohort, but as with most activities its the outer edges of the activity that these folk inhabit, just IMO

I use YouTube for instructional videos on how to do stuff and its been useful.

I get that there are some positives about using online material, but its the word influence that concerns me. A friend of mine had a 13 yo daughter who her mum is concerned has an eating disorder, her daughter is getting her nutritional advice from "influencers' and she is being told 400 calories is the optimum daily intake.

Add to that her daughter is now old enough to exclude her parents from medical appointments and the Dr's cannot discuss anything with them is ridiculous. She's a child. Unless there is some concerns over her home situation parents should 100% be involved in children's medical affairs.

[swaledale]

My youngest daughter has reached 'influencer' status on the platform she uses, her subject being a niche area of aerospace and aimed mainly but not exclusively at females, who are of relevance to the 'niche' more than males. She chooses not to 'monetise' her thread (or whatever its called) at present as that's not what she set it up for, but the platform she uses certainly is, through adverts that precede and interrupt her posts. I see it as a worthwhile, and slightly noble, activity in her case, and I'm aware that its had a positive impact on the lives of a number (a few) of her followers.

As for me, I've used 'influencers' quite a lot, in the areas of car purchase, automotive repair techniques and holiday destinations to name just a few, and if they ask me to like/ subscribe/ follow/ whatever their posts, pages or channels, presumably as a way of monetising their 'content' I do so, they've helped me at no charge to me so why shouldn't I return the favour, although I'm never 'influenced' as such, just looking for answers. These are 'normal' people although I do get vintage car restoration tips off a couple of 'good ol boys' who would give some on here the collywobbles just based on the merest hint they they are redneck republicans

Yes there are some folk making money out of the weaknesses of the impressionable, and more than a few of the 'look at my perfect life' cohort, but as with most activities its the outer edges of the activity that these folk inhabit, just IMO

I would say there is a distinction between people who are explaining a concept, showing how something is done, providing information etc. who are I'd say are less influencer and more informer which are generally very useful and the legions of vacuous style guru's, or lifestyle gurus who are selling some product, or lifestyle etc. which are inherently pathetic and in some cases downright dangerous.

[ramAnag]

I would say there is a distinction between people who are explaining a concept, showing how something is done, providing information etc. who are I'd say are less influencer and more informer which are generally very useful and the legions of vacuous style guru's, or lifestyle gurus who are selling some product, or lifestyle etc. which are inherently pathetic and in some cases downright dangerous.

Agree completely with that. Influencers are, at best, extremely shallow and at worst, extremely sinister.

I had to seek online advice yesterday to change the battery in a car key…no ‘influencing’ just an excellent and well presented demonstration and an example of the internet at its most useful.

[Ram Pant]

Im too old too, its all about followers isnt it which i guess enables them to get sponsorship and advertising revenue.

Mostly it seems to be about looking good and going on holiday or wearing nice clothes.

Its all about posting content online, its just a step up though from those who use Facebook and Instagram to post to show what a great life they have, but most likely in reality you have a **** life.

If life is so great there is no need to post to convince others what a perfect existence you lead. One of my wife's best friends is always posting about how perfect her life is and what a wonderful husband she has, but in reality she is hates him and is just with him for the financial stability and lifestyle.

Accounts on FB, Youtube, Insta etc. Get followers, post crap up daily, have your followers click on the link to see what rubbish you've posted today, gain advertising revenue and away you go. The lifestyle you want without ever having to work.

[SithHappens]

Agree completely with that. Influencers are, at best, extremely shallow and at worst, extremely sinister.

I had to seek online advice yesterday to change the battery in a car key…no ‘influencing’ just an excellent and well presented demonstration and an example of the internet at its most useful.

The ones that do my head in are those that take about 10 minutes to show something that they could show in 30 seconds