Extremely Online (w/ Taylor Lorenz)

Terminology

Taylor Lorenz, a columnist at the Washington Post, explores the evolution of terms like "creator" and "influencer" in internet culture. She explains how these terms have shifted in meaning and usage over time, influenced by platforms like YouTube and the marketing industry. Lorenz notes that while the term "influencer" was initially popularized by marketers, the tech industry has recently embraced "creator" to distance itself from past criticisms.

Creator and influencer are interchangeable. A lot of times when you hear people hating on the word influencer, it's a little bit of a misogyny type of energy.

--- Taylor Lorenz

The discussion highlights how language reflects broader societal changes and the dynamics of the creator economy 1 2.

   

Media Role

Lorenz critiques the disconnect between legacy media and internet culture, emphasizing how traditional outlets often fail to grasp the nuances of online trends. She argues that this gap leads to misinformed audiences, as media coverage can be out of touch with what is culturally relevant. Lorenz also discusses the importance of journalists understanding their audience and the role of social media in shaping public perception.

The past 15 years have been about dismantling that. We see how out of touch specific coverage is, and it's so transparent.

--- Taylor Lorenz

This insight underscores the evolving dynamics within the media ecosystem and the need for adaptability in reporting 3 4.