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Talking to The National (the publisher, not the band), Elaine Wallace, senior lecturer in marketing at the National University of Ireland Galway (so many nationals!), said there's a lot of research showing that people like to receive likes and are motivated to seek them. "People engage in all sorts of practices to get them, and it keeps them coming back," Wallace explained.

But the negative psychological effect of the desire to collect likes has been freely admitted for many years by both Facebook and Instagram. In 2016, Instagram's then chief executive, Kevin Systrom, for example, told The Wall Street Journal: "We need to have a place where you feel free to post whatever you want without the nagging fear of, did someone like that or not?"

Years later, however, there's no such place in sight. People still go above and beyond for internet points, trying to impress folks they don't even know. And when I say beyond, I mean burning fellow plane passengers with a high-powered laser and giving up a child after you learn you can't include them in your videos.

To show how desperate some of us are for temporary online fame, we invite you to take a look at the recent posts we found on the subreddit r/justforsocialmedia. But if you scroll through the list and think that's it, fire up our earlier publication on this community. Sadly, there's way more.

#1

Give Your Grandson A Cake *they* Want

Give Your Grandson A Cake *they* Want

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly only people with the mentality of a 4 year old would like trump! Poor kid

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Mary Jeffries
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The four year olds I know see a bully when they watch him call names and mimic people with disabilities.

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Kay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They did that for themselves. They hijacked their sons birthday to make a statement. This poor kid has such morally corrupt parents. F**k them

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A four year old child is likely more intelligent, empathetic, and articulate in comparison to the deranged Cheeto dust covered Oompa Loompa.

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moon bee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you, in future i will refer to Tr*mp only as "deranged Cheeto dust covered oompa loompa"

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Thorfin Wolfsbane
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say the mind of a four-year-old is exactly what you'd expect in a trump supporter...IMO

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ChickyChicky
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most four year olds I know understand kindness and sharing and not saying mean things to other people!

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Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My nephew just had his fifth birthday. I made him a Super Mario cake, which he loved. He has no idea who Trump is, and even less interest. Yoshi, though, he would love to meet Yoshi IRL.

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pigasus1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor child is doomed to a life lived in ignorance. He never had a chance.

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Terilee Bruyere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe not. Let's look at the bright side. Many people have not so great parents and turn out wonderful.

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More Thinking Needed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another example of parents using their kids as props so they can enjoy 15 minutes of internet fame.

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Mateo Buysse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree it is tasteless, but i am still voting this down because those booty shots at auschwitz should be at the top of this generally tasteless list.

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Blarrg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I planned to say the same thing. A MAGA cake hardly belongs on the same list, much less ranked as worse than young girls sexualizing themselves at Auschwitz. I sincerely think there is something deeply wrong with this community.

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Yeah, you heard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think a 4 yo can understand. I told mine Trump was a nasty man, who treated women and foreign people badly. 4 yo understood.

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, if I eat enough to have arm rolls, I'm considered a toddler again?

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Marco Conti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am on "the other side". I don't even know what I could do to involve my kid in my politics like this. Can I make a cake out of Universal health care? How about a cake for better minimum wage? Voting rights? A Bernie Sanders Cake? There aren't always two sides to an argument. Sometime one side is remarkably stupider.

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Stacey McElhaney
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Try again! Is Donald Trump someone you want your child to model his behavior around? Seriously? If so, get some help.

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Pascale Pierloot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never mind Covid-19, this virus that people got from being for or against D. Trump was frightening too.

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Vicki Cooper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m just gonna say this once……..please repeat for all following posts. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE?

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Kainaath Khan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, the prime Minister or president is so much on telly these days, that the kid just knows Trump as a person on television not as the president or good or bad. I did the same when I was 2, the prime minister's photo was always on the news, hence I jumped whenever her photo was on.

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Stefan
Community Member
2 years ago

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Thomas Biorogue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't give 4 yr olds enough credit. They certainly know things Blue from Blue's Clues has done and they love Dora the Explorer etc, so why can't they be fans of Trump. Maybe it's his appearance or the red hat or whatever, but the recognize it and become a fan of it. When my twins were little, probably around this age or 5, one of them just out of the blue mentioned President Jackson. I said who what now? How do you know about him and why you like him? I had forgotten that she had this fan shaped thing that had all the presidents and a short bio. Turns out, she liked his hair, it was funny. She didn't know anything of his politics or character, just liked that hair. So why can't a 4 yr old be a fan of Trump?

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Penny Serenade
Community Member
2 years ago

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Haha. Truth is both that guy and the new guy equally suck.

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago

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But how is this different to "my child is a christian" or "my child is a hindu" etc? Just wondering really.

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Walter Brameld
Community Member
2 years ago

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Okay, while I detest Trump and the mindset that leads to support for him, I don't see a problem with this. Sure, the kid doesn't understand much about the world, but so what? That doesn't mean he doesn't get excited over Trump. I mean, when I was a kid, I thought Ronald Reagan was basically a god because he was The President of the United States. I would have been thrilled to have a Reagan-themed cake at age 4. Now of course I understand history a lot better and I don't care for Reagan or his politics...but that doesn't change the fact that 4-year-old me would have LOVED that cake!

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S. Tor Storm
Community Member
2 years ago

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I bet this would have been fine if it was biden

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#2

Booty Shots At Auschwitz!!!!

Booty Shots At Auschwitz!!!!

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Raven Sheridan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely tasteless and downright offensive to all the victims of Auschwitz, the holocaust and their families. Have some respect!

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However, even if some stunt makes a person popular on social media, chances are it's not that great. According to Pamela Rutledge, Ph.D., M.B.A., and Director of the Media Psychology Research Center and faculty in the media psychology program at Fielding Graduate University, influencers' success relies less on their content and more on their ability to maintain an emotional connection with their fans, which can change quickly.

"Social media fame is more fragile and less likely to endure compared to the celebrity of actors and musicians. It may seem like some traditional performers became famous 'overnight,' but almost all worked for many years cultivating their craft and building a resume, hoping for a break-out moment," Rutledge wrote in Psychology Today. "While traditional celebrity certainly takes advantage of social media for fan engagement, social media fame is different. It has created a new class of celebrity — influencers — that takes advantage of network connectivity, peer-to-peer communication and bandwagon behaviors, so information and influence spread faster. This works well for fame based on the ability to attract attention through zealous extroversion, appeal, and a willingness to push the envelope rather than traditional performance skills."

#3

Imagine ... Uggh

Imagine ... Uggh

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#4

Influencers Jailed In Bali For Fake Mask Video Prank, To Be Deported As 'Soon As Possible'

Influencers Jailed In Bali For Fake Mask Video Prank, To Be Deported As 'Soon As Possible'

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#5

It’s Just A Prank Bro

It’s Just A Prank Bro

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Rutledge also pointed out that at least in the US, people love to put celebrities up on pedestals as if they were "above it all." So when they misbehave, as most do when they believe in their own superiority, us regular folk take great relish pulling them back down to earth to show them and us that they're not so special after all. It makes us feel better about ourselves. Not everyone, however, can take the fall.

"This is a tough time to tumble down from the heights. Between the social hypersensitivity to social justice issues and the knee-jerk tendency to 'cancel' people based on the behavior or word of others (often without nuance or regard to facts), there is a perfect storm for a crash ... Brands are subject to the same consumer whims that drive fan behavior but unlike celebrities who can sometimes benefit from bad press, brands don't have that luxury. They will jump ship at the first sign of any serious social transgressions. For influencers basking in sudden fame and wealth, the trajectory down from those dizzying and lucrative heights can be equally steep."

The best experiences are beyond the reach of an internet signal. Why sabotage them for imaginary temporary clout?

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#6

Burning People With A High Powered Laser And Getting Yourself Banned From An Airport For Clout

Burning People With A High Powered Laser And Getting Yourself Banned From An Airport For Clout

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like assault or possibly terrorism, as its a weapon on a plane, to me

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#8

Couple Gives A Child Up After Learning They Can’t Include Them In Their Videos

Couple Gives A Child Up After Learning They Can’t Include Them In Their Videos

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#9

Tiktok Must Be Stopped

Tiktok Must Be Stopped

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#10

Imagine Going To Jail For A Tiktok

Imagine Going To Jail For A Tiktok

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me you're not very bright, without telling me, you're not very bright.

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#11

Wcgw Pretending To Have The Coronavirus

Wcgw Pretending To Have The Coronavirus

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#12

A Guy Sprayed Gorilla Glue On His Hair Cause He Didnt Believe The Gorilla Glue Woman Was Telling The Truth

A Guy Sprayed Gorilla Glue On His Hair Cause He Didnt Believe The Gorilla Glue Woman Was Telling The Truth

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly like people who don't believe the virus is serious and end up in the hospital or dead

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#14

Great Way To Ruin Your Life And Other People’s Lives

Great Way To Ruin Your Life And Other People’s Lives

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If all those wanting to try this, could get together somewhere away from the rest of us, I could sell tickets.

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#15

When You Use Your Nanas Death As An Excuse To Show Off Your Tattoos

When You Use Your Nanas Death As An Excuse To Show Off Your Tattoos

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#16

Wasting All That Food Just For A Photo

Wasting All That Food Just For A Photo

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Amy Dodds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No I heard he gave it all away to the homeless, but they wouldn't touch it. Something about too much meat balls.

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#17

Wow, So Quirky

Wow, So Quirky

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As you scroll down, it becomes clearer that there are an unbelievable amount of stupid people amongst us.

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#18

Harassing People While Shopping Is Classified As A "Prank"

Harassing People While Shopping Is Classified As A "Prank"

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Note how the big brave "prankster" picks on the older guy. I tell you what, try it with me and get a free punch in the mouth.

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#19

She Knew She Would Get A Reaction With Her Funeral Dress

She Knew She Would Get A Reaction With Her Funeral Dress

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Jonathan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'I don't give a fk about what people may think.' No, that's the exact opposite of the truth because why else would you be posting it online?

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#20

Hot Glued A Toilet Onto Your Head

Hot Glued A Toilet Onto Your Head

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#21

Brain Dead For Social Media

Brain Dead For Social Media

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Adam ray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the issue with adults that put this garbage on social media. They don't have any idea that they are influence younger children who can't think for themselves.

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#22

Imagine Going To Supermarkets Just To Destroy Food

Imagine Going To Supermarkets Just To Destroy Food

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Paul C.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, I know, people world-wide are struggling for food, so I will destroy some. Unbelievable.

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#23

I Hate People Like This

I Hate People Like This

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He should be made to buy everything and donate it to people that need it

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#24

Let Me Film A Tiktok Infront Of My Dying Friend

Let Me Film A Tiktok Infront Of My Dying Friend

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#25

All I Can Think Is Ants... Ants Everywhere

All I Can Think Is Ants... Ants Everywhere

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#26

The Lie Was Obvious, But That Didn’t Stop The Likes

The Lie Was Obvious, But That Didn’t Stop The Likes

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is definitely not fake. My cat just told me she was there and saw it happen.

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#27

Don't Warn Him Or Scare Off The Bear, Just Film

Don't Warn Him Or Scare Off The Bear, Just Film

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More Thinking Needed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's another bear filming behind the trees saying 'This is going to look great on TikTok."

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#28

Disturbing Everybody's Shopping Experience

Disturbing Everybody's Shopping Experience

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#30

When Daddy Didn’t Give You Enough Attention When You Were Young

When Daddy Didn’t Give You Enough Attention When You Were Young

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh well, once you get a fine and an arrest you won't be given a visa for france ever again

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#31

Creating A Mess In A Store For Literally No Reason

Creating A Mess In A Store For Literally No Reason

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#32

Disney Employee Posts Videos Breaking Rules At Disneyworld, Is Promptly Fired And Banned From Disneyworld

Disney Employee Posts Videos Breaking Rules At Disneyworld, Is Promptly Fired And Banned From Disneyworld

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wasn´t aware that "wide open" is the same as "unlocked". If only there was a word for when doors are not open, but not locked. Hmm, please, help, I cannot think of one on my own.

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#35

Texas Mother Poses As 13-Year-Old Daughter And Attends Her Class For Social Media Attention - Gets Arrested

Texas Mother Poses As 13-Year-Old Daughter And Attends Her Class For Social Media Attention - Gets Arrested

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought she was trying to show that the security was not good in the school no? At least that's how it was presented at some news i saw unless it's a different person

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Note: this post originally had 62 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

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