Remember when those who had the most significant impact on our lives were those who accomplished something? They acted in a manner that demonstrated courage despite their fears, resilience in the face of resistance, and determination in the face of hopelessness.

Where are they now when we need them most?

What prompted this piece was a news story I read about a growing phenomenon among teenage girls.  I don’t recall the specific process, but it involved some combination of commercial and home-brewed concoction to give these young women “vibrant and amazing” skin.

It was promoted as the ultimate elixir to eliminate the ravages of teenage hormonal changes in the form of the dreaded zit!

Instead, what it did to many was cause acidic like burns and, in some case, lead to fatalities.

Okay, that was bad enough. But the part that really fascinated me was the accompanying videos of these young women posted on various social media sites where they are trying to become “Social Media Influencers.”

WTF.

Now I know most teens go through some idol worship stage where they all want to be fashion models, rock stars, etc. But it seems today that ambition lies only with telling others what to do by “influencing” their behavior.

No one seems to aspire to actually do something. They all just want to gather followers, garner commercial support of their “influencing”, and be admired for being famous.

Double WTF.

Now, at the risk of this sounding like the ravings of a crusty old man–who am I kidding, these are the ravings of a rapidly aging curmudgeon–how come no one is influenced by young women, or men, aspiring to be doctors, or lawyers, or scientists? 

How come the most admired social influencers aren’t those who go into the military, or public service, or seek to aid the less fortunate?

How come we have an entire segment of society that wants to influence people not by doing good works or improving our state of affairs, or curing cancer, but by “influencing” them on the most shallow, inept, and untrustworthy platform for communication so far invented by humans?

When we are facing the demise of public education, once the flagship of the world.

When we are facing a crisis of conscience in how we treat our fellow humans.

When we are contending with an existential crisis of the very democracy we have so far been able to preserve.

Where are the heroes?

If all we have are “social media influencers,” we are in trouble.