We are all craving attention. It’s the reason social media is minting millions, and why influencer marketing even exists.
As a civilization, we are increasingly seeking validation from the outside rather than within. The reason is simple: the modern world has given us enough luxury that we are no longer worried about food, shelter, or clothing. Our abundant time has turned us into seekers of eyeballs and external validation.
I am not saying that the craving for attention didn’t exist in the era of the Renaissance, or that salons were doing anything different. It’s just that the medium has changed in our times, becoming more commoditized.
I bet if Van Gogh, Michelangelo, or Socrates lived in the era of social media, they would have wasted time on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram as well.