How Parasocial Relationships Have Defined the Tech Industry

Social media is having a magnifying effect on unhealthy parasocial relationships. People are becoming more and more attached to online personalities rather than having real life relationships. This isn't necessarily a new phenomenon but social media makes it worse.

Companies are increasingly taking advantage of this and its not likely to stop. The podcasting industry and companies like Peloton are prime examples and its not healthy.

> "Influencers that grow that seem like “normal people” likely get famous because that’s exactly the point - what they say and do, and the faux-intimacy they grow with their viewers creates a human connection that these people want from their lives, with someone they find approachable who also happens to be famous."