Miquela, real or not, she has got a real audience of 2.8 million hooked on her.
Society has expended in a third dimension; where physical distance does not limit us, this society I would like to refer to as The Digital Society.
An influencer in particular embodies the influence of the Digital Society to millions. Miquela is a virtual influencer and pop star, also known as Lil Miquela. She took the world by storm when she became popular as a robot influencer, many questioning and intrigued by her existence. Having amassed a significant following on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, and has collaborated with various brands for advertising campaigns. Miquela’s online persona blurs the line between reality and fiction, as she presents herself as a robot with her own thoughts and feelings. In her posts she is created using computer generated imagery (CGI) and her online presence has caught the attention of millions of followers and celebrities who are often featured in her posts. lilmiquela on Instagram, 2.8 million followers, it is clear that the real world is not entirely necessary to become popular.
The social media activist
Miquela is controlled by a team of people at the company Brud. The team includes artists, writers, and developers that created and continue to maintain her following and persona, sharing also great advice and answering lifestyle queries across social media platforms. One such is snapchat where she hosts a show ‘Get real, Miquela’ where she responds to queries and situations, giving advice to her generally young audience. Also partaking in movements online. Miquela’s influence extends further than the latest marketing campaign and many young people follow her lifestyle and advice as a regular celebrity.
The pop star
Miquela also has her own music channel, where she sings. As an avatar Miquela is capable of anything, provided there are artists who work with her behind the scences. Whilst she does appear with a personality and emotions, Miquela is not real. This gives her an advantage as the effect of negative comments cannot damage someone who does not exist. Escaping the damaging mental health problems that may potentially arise from fame.
High-end fashion, grand locations, famous friends; Miquela is a projection of the ideal online influencer. This new way of living through a filtered spotlight, where there is increasing control of how people see you may have evolved us towards seeking and desiring an idealised, unrealistic life. Editing and filters have become increasingly common, potentially paralleling make-up and fashion in real life. The question arises does painting ourselves as digital avatars who live as a series of carefully selected photos, videos, filters and comments challenge conscious living itself or mask the imperfections of life?
The Digital Society presents to us an adjustable lens that filters tone, emotion and physical contact. In fact, when books were first introduced there were fears of a limitation of discussion as words printed on a page were irrefutable. However the online system provides discussion, perhaps some may argue there may even be an over abundance of information, opinions and arguably people we have access to. Whether it be for better or for worse or neither, Miquela’s existence leads us to ponder the future of society and in particular our future with the expanding Digital Society and what else it may surprise or surpass us with.
