notes on analysis of the rise of the Mutual Aid Influencer
2026-09-17
*to explain the cooptation of mutual aid by social media influencers
*the influencer or influencer network or “brand” builds their audience by exploiting needs intentionally left unmet by neoliberal era capitalism/neoliberal competitive individualist society, promising community, belonging, solidarity, moral authority, social capital, purpose
*well-intentioned users are intercepted and trapped before they can form genuine community survival networks that can sustainably fulfill needs and threaten ruling class power.
*in crowdfunding 11th hour and longer term crises, there is the expectation that if one cannot give financial support, then their contribution is to promote the campaign, or promote the influencer personality/brand itself. this “reciprocity” is viewed as legitimate mutual aid praxis
*many are moved to contribute funds through small payment app transfers, and those who can’t are moved to contribute by sharing and promoting in online spaces. because these social media platforms reward conflict, drama, outrage, “beefs” erupt on a regular basis, and the followers of each side will defend honor of their “network” and smear their enemies
*due to the high stakes for many group members, dependency develops and their lives depend on protecting the reputation and standing of the influencer group
*even legitimate criticism is attacked as a threat to the flow of donations i.e. “threat to people’s lives”
*is this a psyop? the “beauty” of this whole thing is that a psyop is not even necessary - corporate social media, in pursuit of max profits, exploits the way we already behave. even if there was a psyop - only really need one, and when ppl see that take off like gangbusters, their workday is over.
https://extralocalyokel.com/2026/09/17/notes-on-analysis-of-the.html
#mutualaid #influencers #cooptation #crowdfunding #grift #capitalism