What is the purpose of influencers?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Like many sane and a bit older people, I have wondered about the nature and purpose of ‘influencers’. This concern has been highlighted by the stupidity of an influencer, Sam Jones, who stole a baby wombat from her mother. Yes, as an Australian, I appreciate the irony of that, given how many Aboriginal mums had their baby’s stolen from them.

There are legal consequences of harming native animals, but rather than face those charges, she took a cowardly approach and fled the country immediately. How could she think stealing a baby animal would improve her image.

The purpose, and appreciation, of influencers escapes me, as I tend to make up my own mind on what I want to pay for, or accept my partner’s wisdom. There have always been advertisements based on the popularity of a sports person, even though they were usually more comedy than influence.

It seems that we should seek guidance from wiser people, ignore social media, and live our own life without the influence of mostly pretty airheads.

DENNIS FITZGERALD

Melbourne, Australia