Open discussion off the c2e2 drama. Are influencers destroying the hobby? 3 3

[Old Fashion PB and J]

  Has comic collecting become a popularity contest? I watch these "influencers" hype books, create "live" sales feeds of drek, and essentially prop each other up to gain some weird sense of "fame". I look and I wonder what effects this is really having on the hobby? They are manufacturing and pumping their own variants, acting like "live auctions" are talk show with "special guests" and ultimately driving the hobby with "what's hot" lists. I would love to pretend the "hot list" or "what should you buy with $100.00" isn't having a direct effect on the market, but if you watch the videos and then Ebay you see what is happening. I don't want to call it market manipulation, but why are you really acting like "the Porcupine" 1st appearance is a book you NEED because he will be in phase 760 of Marvels MCU? It feels a little shady IMO.

 And then you have the "popularity contest" of people buying books in their live auctions just to be seen? It strikes me as odd. I realize that some people like attention and some don't, (but in a hobby that seemed to have been built around an inclusive and humble environment) we are propelling some very polarizing people into the spotlight and having some down right sh%tty people being looked at as ambassadors for the hobby. 

  Maybe I am alone in this, maybe I am not. Like I said, I don't really know these people. But I have to wonder if the direction these people are steering young collectors is good for the hobby as a whole. The C2E2 variant? That book is a different problem all together, but the fallout we are seeing from the actions of "Instagram and YouTube influencers" has me raising an eyebrow as to WHY they are here, and what they are taking from the hobby.

[Get Marwood & I]

On 8/10/2022 at 3:15 PM, Old Fashion PB and J said:

.... some down right sh%tty people being looked at as ambassadors for the hobby

You leave CGC management out of this. 

[theCapraAegagrus]

Quote

Are influencers destroying the hobby?

"Influencers" are good for nothing. "Destroying the hobby?" Maybe not, but they highlight the worst aspects of the hobby.

[Old Fashion PB and J]

On 8/10/2022 at 10:22 AM, Get Marwood & I said:

You leave CGC management out of this. 

 These comments are unacceptable on a Wednesday! Save it for Friday 

[Old Fashion PB and J]

On 8/10/2022 at 10:26 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

"Influencers" are good for nothing. "Destroying the hobby?" Maybe not, but they highlight the worst aspects of the hobby.

 Maybe a better way of phrasing it. But I look at some as being here only to see what they can gain from it.

[Beastfeast]

It was only a matter of time before they came into the hobby.  If you've been around for video game streamers, box crackers, professional product reviewers, etc., you knew the absurd and performative "hype" that goes along with them.  The reason comic influencers are using it is because it works.  

Look at the thumbnails used for the most popular YouTube videos - It's all dumb surprise face and terrible layout.  That's what the kids are clicking on, though.  

It's not destroying anything except gullible peoples' wallets, right now.  However, when new collectors get a sour taste and feel cheated, they don't tend to stick around.  

[Old Fashion PB and J]

On 8/10/2022 at 11:32 AM, Beastfeast said:

It was only a matter of time before they came into the hobby.  If you've been around for video game streamers, box crackers, professional product reviewers, etc., you knew the absurd and performative "hype" that goes along with them.  The reason comic influencers are using it is because it works.  

Look at the thumbnails used for the most popular YouTube videos - It's all dumb surprise face and terrible layout.  That's what the kids are clicking on, though.  

It's not destroying anything except gullible peoples' wallets, right now.  However, when new collectors get a sour taste and feel cheated, they don't tend to stick around.  

 And I suppose that's what I was getting at with the "destroying" part. I am familiar with all of those other things you mentioned, but do they have the direct effect on the monetary side of the hobby like these people do?

[jsilverjanet]

i don't think they are destroying, and i would say in some cases they do bring some enthusiasm to this hobby that sometimes is filled with very tired views/attitudes

like all things, there are good ones and bad ones

[Beastfeast]

On 8/10/2022 at 11:45 AM, Old Fashion PB and J said:

 And I suppose that's what I was getting at with the "destroying" part. I am familiar with all of those other things you mentioned, but do they have the direct effect on the monetary side of the hobby like these people do?

They probably do through Patreon, Twitch subs, donations, merch, buying over-priced product so they can be named during an opening/unboxing.  But not in the same way as comics - you're right.  There's way more money at stake in comics, potentially.  

[Beastfeast]

On 8/10/2022 at 12:02 PM, jsilverjanet said:

i don't think they are destroying, and i would say in some cases they do bring some enthusiasm to this hobby that sometimes is filled with very tired views/attitudes

like all things, there are good ones and bad ones

I think in threads like these, it'd be good to name comic influences/content creators that are actually good. I'll start:

Cartoonist Kayfabe
ComicTropes

[Mike's Rack]

On 8/10/2022 at 9:02 AM, jsilverjanet said:

i don't think they are destroying, and i would say in some cases they do bring some enthusiasm to this hobby that sometimes is filled with very tired views/attitudes

like all things, there are good ones and bad ones

Agreed, they do draw the youngsters.  I think they may actually be preserving the hobby for the next generation and that is equally terrifying to me for some reason.

[PsylockeSmythe]

Just glad that I don't do social media and so I avoid most of what influencers are trying to do/promote.

Psy

[D84]

Yes.

Next question: is water wet?

Discuss

[Galen130]

Influencers may have an impact on the younger generations and the comic speculators, but I myself am not influenced.  I like what I like and buy what I like.

BTW, anyone have a copy of that new C2E2 variant?  I hear it's the cat's butt and I gotta have it!!! 

[Galen130]

On 8/10/2022 at 10:17 AM, D84 said:

Yes.

Next question: is water wet?

Discuss

Dry rain....discuss. 

[MattTheDuck]

Well, I don't even consider what they're doing "comic collecting" anyway.  It's certainly never impacted anything I'm doing.

[D84]

On 8/10/2022 at 11:17 AM, Galen130 said:

Dry rain....discuss. 

Dry wine... discuss.

[Mr Sneeze]

Wether comics or cards, it always feels like they view either as widgets.

[Galen130]

On 8/10/2022 at 10:20 AM, D84 said:

Dry wine... discuss.

 

[troydivision1]

How hard would it take for an 'influencer' to disrupt the hobby?

Buy all copies of X title off eBay / mycomicshop using various accounts.
(heck we know of CGC board members with MANY different buyer / seller eBay accounts)

Once there are no copies for a week or so create a video about the 'run' on X title.
Then they list one using one of their multiple accounts (ACCOUNT 1) 2 two minutes after.
Then ACCOUNT 2 does a BIN for super high price almost immediately.
Then ACCOUNT 3 - INFINITY lists theirs with increasing prices.
Then they dump them.
 

Edited August 10, 2022 by Troy Division