I think you use a different definition of bullshit than the discussion here.
The media tends to notice little phenomena like this and paint them as if it's a cultural megatrend.
I'm still confused by these two comments. I don't think we can verifiably claim any personal story on any media outlet is BS or not.
They're wondering whether this specific account is making money.
Those are very different questions. An account can be both, neither, or one or the other.
I guess Americans use the word bullshit differently to the rest of the English speaking world? Or something else?
If one were to speak bullshit, they'd be doing exactly what I just wrote. No money is involved.
You called it a ponzi scheme!
Either way, please listen to the distinction I'm making.
You're talking about ways the industry is bad.
They're asking if the article is flat-out wrong about this single account being successful inside that industry.
Those are two separate ideas to call bullshit on. A bullshit industry can have bullshit success stories, but it can also have true success stories.
Yes. And then people had a problem with the word bullshit, for some reason.
It can be both bullshit and a ponzi scheme. That doesn't make bullshit necessarily a scam.
If I post the same thing to Instagram, most people will applaud me for being such a great photographer.
Everyone is wasting their time. Lots of people like bullshit.
I must admit I don't quite understand your attitude. I personally for example have no interest in "the Kardashians" and would consider their story "bullshit" in a way. On the other hand, they clearly made a shitload of money. So maybe it would be better to analyse what is going on and why it works.
Another example that I personally consider mostly BS is professional sports. But clearly billions of people are into it and a lot of money is being made. Rather than calling it BS, perhaps it is more interesting to think about what might be going on, and what human need seems to be fulfilled by these things.
I was also reminded of "Hello Kitty" which seems to have been going strong for decades. Maybe, among other things, people just buy into this phantasy of a happy world were everything is fine. I personally bought some Hello Kitty mugs for fun a while ago because using them gave me a little jolt of happiness. Even though it is "commercial BS".