Post 43: Influencers and Agony Aunts

PROBLEMS                  1992

Dear Auntie . . I’m ever so lonely
And my boyfriend’s gone off with my mate
I think I’m too fat, though my chest is too flat
All in all, I’m a terrible state

Dear Auntie . . . I hope you can help me
To find a cure for my zits
There’s no space on my face and my hairs’ a disgrace
And my dancing sends boys into fits

Dear Auntie . . . I’m awfully angry
I’m being molested at work
He looks up my skirt and start’s talking all dirt
And he’s ugly as hell and a berk!

Well Auntie . . . I wish you could be here
Cos’ I don’t think it’s worth going on
If you’d seen what I’ve seen, by the age of fifteen
Well, you’d know that a lifetime’s too long

Well readers, I really must go now
My psychiatrist says I must rest
No more moans about friends, or curing split ends
Of being too shy, or too short or too high
Or guilty for wishing that someone could die

So, I’m off to write my best seller
On some quiet Mediterranean shore
And I think I will call it ‘Auntie knows best’
But I don’t want to know anymore!

I was at a loss trying to decide what subject to address in this post. And, as usual, I returned to odes from the past for inspiration.

I wrote ‘Problems’ back in 1992, when one of the only sources of advice about ‘personal’ problems were the ‘Agony Aunts’ who proliferated in, mostly, women’s magazines. The writers were usually mature women, who capitalized on their wealth of experience in the fields of domestic and social attitudes of the day; and were rewarded with a readership that trusted their opinions and advice on this wide range of subjects.

We hear a lot about ‘Influencers’ these days. When I gaze upon those that adopt that title, I am bemused. They are usually presented with perfect teeth, glossy hair, adapted body parts (lips, breasts, bums etc.), promoting makes of clothes, shoes, hair and beauty products; and are usually benign.

But it’s obvious that there are ‘Influencers’ who are very malign. The recent case of Andrew Tate, a self declared misogynist, is a good example; and, I would contend, proof that those of his ilk are not concerned in improving their followers lives. Their only perceived aims appear to be stirring up bigotry and monetizing their own extreme and dangerous attitudes.

The general view today is that the younger generation are internet ‘savvy’. But I’m not sure that this is the right interpretation, when we read of the increasing gullibility, and effects on people’s mental state, I’m more inclined to believe that, far from informing or helping their followers, these self promoting ‘Influencers’ prefer to send their readers down rabbit holes of racist, right wing, and often, sexually perverse and dodgy side burrows. I used to read those agony aunt’s advice with interest and, sometimes, amusement; but never with uncomfortable feelings of disgust or horrified disbelief.

Yet another subject relating to the title of Forward to the Past. Bring back those gentle helpful Influencers that wanted to make people’s lives a bit better!