Becoming an Influencer
A pediatrician told me recently that when she asks kids in her practice what they want to be when they grow up the two most common answers are “an influencer” and “a rapper”.
An influencer? (I sort of get the desire to be a rapper..)
The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines an influencer in two ways: 1) one who exerts influence : a person who inspires or guides the actions of others and 2) a person who is able to generate interest in something (such as a consumer product) by posting about it on social media.
One definition is about inspiring and guiding others.
The other is about clicks (and money).
Words matter.
Influence matters.
It’s worth pondering…
p.s. In the 13th century the word “influence” described an “emanation from the stars that acts upon one's character and destiny”.
p.p.s Influenza comes from the same root since disease outbreaks in medieval times were thought to be influenced by the stars.