From my own experience and observations, the shift in influencer culture is quite palpable. When I first started engaging with social media content creators, the focus was more on creativity, community, and passion rather than direct monetization. Platforms like TikTok were fun and raw, where success meant spreading ideas and connecting with likeminded people rather than immediately making money. However, as the influencer economy has grown, so has a certain expected entitlement among some creators. Many now rely heavily on their audience not just for views or engagement but for direct financial support through donations, gifts, or paid subscriptions. While this works in some cases, it often feels out of touch when influencers with large followings ask for money outright, especially since they typically make substantial income from sponsorships and ads. I can relate to the point made about the reality many face outside of social media — not everyone can or wants to bank on online fame for a living. The expectation that followers should financially support influencers who already earn significantly can feel like a disconnect or an unfair burden placed on the audience. Moreover, there’s a nostalgic aspect to the earlier days of content creation which many miss. When influencers focused less on income and more on content quality and engagement, it felt more genuine and less transactional. Today, creators who are frustrated by financial pressures might publicly ask their followers for money, sometimes leading to backlash and accusations of greed or entitlement. In my view, influencers who want to sustain their careers long-term need to balance monetization with authenticity and provide real value to their followers. And for those who don’t see financial success online, sometimes seeking a traditional job isn’t a defeat but a practical approach to earning a living. This topic highlights the broader conversation about the sustainability of influencer careers and the responsibility influencers have towards their communities. As followers, it’s important to recognize when to support creators and when to call out behavior that might seem disconnected from reality. In any case, transparency and mutual respect are key to bridging this gap between creators and their audiences.