My Autistic Perspective Soliloquy on the Importance of Being "Liked" and "Followed"
To be "liked", or not to be "liked", that is the question whilst online...
"Distracted from distraction by distraction." - T.S. Eliot, Burnt Norton, 1936
All the web's a stage, and all the webmasters and webmistresses merely players; their websites art their playhouses, whilst their coding and content art their performances, attended by the virtual audiences whom dost happen upon their domains whilst travelling along the information superhighway. 'Tis a dream of many within this proverbial cyber caste to be seen and heard, share their artistry with as broad an audience as possible, connect with likeminded individuals, and hopefully brighten the days of others through their performances. For the theoretical thespians amongst the troupe whom art victorious in such endeavors, the constellations and immortality await. Alas, such wondrous dreams may verily end in rude awakenings cometh the curtain's call, for whereas a well-received production shalt be honoured with clicks of the "like" and "follow" buttons, in lieu of boisterous applause, a less-receipted performance shalt be met with a total sum of zero "likes" or "followers", the Internet equivalent of a chorus of crickets chirping aloud their nightly serenade. Alas, the importance of being "liked" and "followed" whilst online cannot be understated, as success therewith remains tethered, like an umbilical cord, to the cultivation of such accolades.
Therein lies the great mystery; wherefore art "likes" and "followers" such treasured commodities on the high seas of cyberspace? Whilst it indubiously feels most gratifying to receive confirmation that one's artistry is verily a source of much merriment to those whom attend such performances, the importance of being "liked" and "followed" transcends these welcomed displays of appreciation, as both in tandem dost possess the accumulative power to decide which members of the cyber caste shalt bask in the warm glow of the limelight or be condemned to shiver in the shadows of obscurity. Aye, "likes" and "followers" art the tributes offered to the algorithmic god in the Rube Goldberg machine of Internet success, whom shalt reward the highest contributors with coveted roles as leading actresses and leading actors, whilst punishing the lowest earners with relegation to the nigh invisibility of the ensemble. Whilst some dost naturally possess an aphrodisiacal allure that draws hither swathes of "likes" and "followers" as assuredly as the illuminated glow of a streetlamp doth attract swarms of moths each night, many others lack such sirenic charms, effectively separating the proverbial wheat from the chaff. One is therefore left to ponder whether divine providence or mere happenstance shalt determine their fate.
Aye, there art more things in "likes" and "followers" than art dreamt of in our philosophies, and any aspiring adventurers whom dost embark upon such Herculean labours must hath tanned skin as thick as the Nemean lion, lest they fall prey to the claws and fangs of self-doubt and low self-esteem. To avoid such a horrid fate, one must introspectively gaze within their own nave in pursuit of personal answers to the deepest of questions. Wherefore doth it feel rewarding to receive "likes" and "followers" yet disappointing to receive neither? What is the value of one's content without an audience of which to consume it? Doth the totality of "followers" one hath amassed serve as a reflection, be it positive or negative, on the overall quality of their work? Giveth the subjective nature of the craft, how doth an audience of potential "followers" decide whom amongst the many equally-talented yet uniquely-different online artisans shalt be deemed worthy of such adulation or not? Perchance such complexities art merely matters of the heart, as the heart doth covet what it covets with neither semblance of rhyme nor reason? If this be so, then predictability and certainty in such affairs art equal to that of Cupid's drunken aim of the arrows he hath pointed at the hearts of lovelorn maidens and butlerns. What's in a "like"? That which we call a post without "likes" would still hold the same value had it been bestowed one-thousand of them. Aye, 'tis important to remind oneself that all artistic endeavors art first and foremost true labours of love that, whilst rarely putting food in the belly, dost verily nourish the appetite of the soul.
Whilst receiving validation on one's timely and laborious crafts doth feel wondrous, a lack of such accolades hath no bearing on the sense of vindication one experiences upon completion of such projects. Perchance a perceived lack of an audience may verily be in error, for not all whom attend dost announce their presence, preferring to spectate silently yet still enjoying the performance all the same. Aye, art those whom hath ascended to the constellations and achieved immortality truly better off? To be "liked", or not to be "liked", that is the question whilst online: whether 'tis nobler in the minds of webmistresses and webmasters to surrender themselves to the gilded cage of the algorithmic god in the Rube Goldberg machine of Internet success in exchange for the roles of "influencers", but in doing so, willingly shackle their own ankles to the balls and chains of advertisers and sponsors? Or 'tis it better in their minds to simply say, "screw it," and embrace the sweet release of online invisibility? For whilst the invisible seldom dost gain "likes" or "followers", they need not burden themselves with production of daily content to remain "trending" nor restrict their creative freedom under penalty of "demonetization". 'Tis an irrefutable truth that those whom shiver in the shadows of obscurity dost enjoy greater freedoms than those whom bask in the warm glow of the limelight, for they art truly free to be themselves, post as often or seldom as their hearts desire, and cover mature topics without fear of restriction or censorship. And on that note, I bid good night unto you all.
Hath thee any thoughts on this soliloquy? If it be so, then freely speak thy piece, deliver thine message via carrier pigeon, or inscribe thy musings upon this scroll to share your opinions on such matters. To be informed by the town crier of future productions, visit the town square daily. Also, if thee feel so inclined to boisterously announce thine satisfaction upon curtain call, then hesitate not in pressing the "like" and "follow" buttons, so that I might better decipher the innerworkings of the algorithmic god in the Rube Goldberg machine of Internet success. Until we dost meet again, I bid thee all much love, peace, and chicken grease!
Posted in "Autistic Perspectives" on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.