Dear influencers: We are not built for this much intimacy

[Michie]

Last December I found myself unable to shake a story I had read in the Wall Street Journal. It has bothered me into the new year.

The article chronicled the rise and subsequent demise of David Hollis, Instagram influencer, former Disney executive, and ex-husband of Rachel Hollis, the popular blogger and self-help author of “Girl, Wash Your Face.”

The profile was framed as a glimpse into the “weirdly intimate world of social-media influencers, where you are personally the product and everything you do in your life can be produced into a commercial event.”

His ex-wife, Rachel, rose to fame with a viral Instagram post about her post-partum physique. After receiving a tidal wave of positive feedback for her vulnerability, she launched a self-help brand built on sharing the details of her personal life — including issues with marital intimacy and parenting ups and downs — with her nearly 2 million Instagram followers.

Eventually, David got on board and built his own brand of self-help convert and relatable dad. David shared his thoughts, feelings, and struggles with an audience of 400,000 people.

The toll of performing day in and day out for an audience of strangers, as well as monitoring their comments and feedback, eventually led to the breakdown of their marriage and David’s accidental death from alcohol and drugs.

This December, I couldn’t stop thinking about another online “influencer,” Lily Phillips, of OnlyFans fame. OnlyFans is a British-based subscription platform, where creators and performers post content for paying subscribers. The founder, Tim Stokely, said he wanted content creators to have more control over their work. The site is now primarily used for pornographic content.

Twenty-three-year old Phillips has reportedly earned $2 million from her 36,000 paying subscribers. Yet she became a household name this December with the release of a YouTube documentary chronicling her 24-hour sexual marathon with 101 men.

Continued below.

The Lily Phillips tragedy: We are not built for this much intimacy

What should Catholics think of self-commodification as a means of generating income or as a viable career path?

angelusnews.com

 

[godisagardener]

This type of "social media" is a two-edged sword. So many people want that fifteen minutes of fame that everyone talks about. They're told by society (or their psyche tells them) that if the world doesn't know them, then they're nobody. So many feel they're alone even when surrounded by many friends and family, so they crave more. They want to be "somebody". They want to be seen. They want to "influence". Social media feeds on this. And this article shows the side of social media that many fall into. I wouldn't know an influencer if I saw one, for a long time I didn't even know what it meant. I'm sure there's a good side to it somewhere. But for so many it's a trap they fall into and can't get out of, like a rabbit hole. I think for some, like those unfortunate ones in the article, there are psychological issues.

 

[Michie]

This type of "social media" is a two-edged sword. So many people want that fifteen minutes of fame that everyone talks about. They're told by society (or their psyche tells them) that if the world doesn't know them, then they're nobody. So many feel they're alone even when surrounded by many friends and family, so they crave more. They want to be "somebody". They want to be seen. They want to "influence". Social media feeds on this. And this article shows the side of social media that many fall into. I wouldn't know an influencer if I saw one, for a long time I didn't even know what it meant. I'm sure there's a good side to it somewhere. But for so many it's a trap they fall into and can't get out of, like a rabbit hole. I think for some, like those unfortunate ones in the article, there are psychological issues.

It’s really all about ego, unrealistic standards, deception and money 98% of the time. I used to watch someone swing with whatever influencer fad there was. One week it’s this, next week it’s that. It’s pretty tragic when you really think about it. Lots of us enjoy instructive videos for learning but the influencer vibe is the epitome of unhealthy imo. A more dangerous version of keeping up the Jones.

“Comparison (with others) is the thief of joy.”​

-Theodore Roosevelt

 

[RileyG]

I think a lot of people also use social media because they want to feel appreciated, when in reality they feel unloved or unwanted. That's only my opinion.

 

[mourningdove~]

This type of "social media" is a two-edged sword. So many people want that fifteen minutes of fame that everyone talks about. They're told by society (or their psyche tells them) that if the world doesn't know them, then they're nobody. So many feel they're alone even when surrounded by many friends and family, so they crave more. They want to be "somebody". They want to be seen. They want to "influence". Social media feeds on this. And this article shows the side of social media that many fall into. I wouldn't know an influencer if I saw one, for a long time I didn't even know what it meant. I'm sure there's a good side to it somewhere. But for so many it's a trap they fall into and can't get out of, like a rabbit hole. I think for some, like those unfortunate ones in the article, there are psychological issues.

I agree. While people do make money at it, I believe there are often psychological issues driving folks to become influencers.

Our society has become very narcissistic, and I believe many who do 'business' on the internet emotionally need the attention and admiration of others, and that sense of power they get when believing they are influencing (controlling) others. Sometimes it's just as simple as that.

 

[mourningdove~]

I think a lot of people also use social media because they want to feel appreciated, when in reality they feel unloved or unwanted. That's only my opinion.

In reality, they may actually BE unloved and unwanted ... but social media is not a lasting way to fill that void in one's heart.
Only a vibrant, loving, active relationship with God can truly fill the hungry heart.

 

[RileyG]

In reality, they may actually BE unloved and unwanted ... but social media is not a lasting way to fill that void in one's heart.
Only a vibrant, loving, active relationship with God can truly fill the hungry heart.

Our perceptions aren't always realistic...especially people with depression or anxiety disorders...social media only makes people feel unloved and unwanted

 

[mourningdove~]

Our perceptions aren't always realistic...especially people with depression or anxiety disorders...social media only makes people feel unloved and unwanted

I think social media has messed with alot of people's heads.

 

[RileyG]

I think social media has messed with alot of people's heads.

Amen

 

[WarriorAngel]

Social media like everything can be used to spread good worldwide or pure slop.

Unfortunately it is mostly slop.
I follow the Catholics and such on TikTok/facebook reels.

 

[RileyG]

Social media like everything can be used to spread good worldwide or pure slop.

Unfortunately it is mostly slop.
I follow the Catholics and such on TikTok/facebook reels.

I really like LizziesAnswers and RebornPure on YouTube

 

[Michie]

I would love to see that platform destroyed.

 

[mourningdove~]

This is just tragic. Lord have mercy.

It has so upset me, to read that article.
How sick, how twisted, how utterly tragic.
Really, it's left me feeling like vomiting ...

I know we are adults here, but I wish there had been a 'Warning: Adult Content" label posted along with that article, for those of us that don't have a strong enough stomach for the details of that story.

And for persons avoiding porn, I strongly suggest not reading or looking at 'Lily's' story.
... Just say a prayer for Lily. She needs Jesus very much.

 

[RileyG]

This is just tragic. Lord have mercy.

Talking in more detail about her Only Fans challenge, Lily, who is now aiming to sleep with 1,000 men in a day this month, told YouTuber Josh: "It's not for the weak girls if I'm honest – it was hard. I don't know if I'd recommend it. It's a different feeling. It's just one in one out, it feels intense."

Josh asked if it was more intense than she thought and she broke down in tears, saying: "Definitely." But despite getting emotional in the clip, Lily reassured fans that she is healthy and mentally strong. Speaking on the documentary, Lily explained her reasoning behind her niche and said: "You have to stand out with unique content. You have to be different... Because there are so many people on OnlyFans," Mail Online reports.[/i]

Woman who slept with 100 men in a day leaves people in tears with 'sad' update

Adult star Lily Phillips, 23, has done a candid interview about her career as she plans another extreme 'sex challenge'. And it's left people very concerned

www.mirror.co.uk

Lord have mercy!

 

[RileyG]

I would love to see that platform destroyed.

OnlyFans?

 

[Michie]

OnlyFans?

Yes!

 

[mourningdove~]

I woke up this morning, still thinking about this thread.

And I remembered that it was almost 20 years ago now since I became a member of CF.
Granted, I have been gone at times for long periods, but hello ... it's 2025 and today I'm here!

But what I was thinking is that 20 years ago, we would not have found a 'Lily' kind of article on this site. 20 years ago, we wouldn't have been having a discussion here about that article, because it would have been too obviously sinful to discuss. 20 years ago, I think most of us would have been shocked and appalled at the story, if we even saw it on the internet. (But in 2025, it is now widely circulating for everyone to read.)

This thread made me think about how morals have declined in the past 20 years. And how de-sensitized we seem to have become to reading some of the most depraved stories on the internet. If we continue on this downward moral trajectory, and the Lord should tarry, I wonder where we will be morally as a society 20 years from now?

... and I shudder to think.

 

[Michie]

I woke up this morning, still thinking about this thread.

And I remembered that it was almost 20 years ago now since I became a member of CF.
Granted, I have been gone at times for long periods, but hello ... it's 2025 and today I'm here!

But what I was thinking is that 20 years ago, we would not have found a 'Lily' kind of article on this site. 20 years ago, we wouldn't have been having a discussion here about that article, because it would have been too obviously sinful to discuss. 20 years ago, I think most of us would have been shocked and appalled at the story, if we even saw it on the internet. (But in 2025, it is now widely circulating for everyone to read.)

This thread made me think about how morals have declined in the past 20 years. And how de-sensitized we seem to have become to reading some of the most depraved stories on the internet. If we continue on this downward moral trajectory, and the Lord should tarry, I wonder where we will be morally as a society 20 years from now?

... and I shudder to think.

I don’t think Angelus news has lost their morals and it is not good to avoid discussing what is happening in the world today as Christians. But that’s just me.

 

[RileyG]

Yes!

It's literally prostitution. I always called pornography legal prostitution. ugh

 

[mourningdove~]

I don’t think Angelus news has lost their morals and it is not good to avoid discussing what is happening in the world today as Christians. But that’s just me.

The Angelus News link in Post #1 was okay.
But the links to Mail Online and Mirror.co.uk in Post #12?
Graphic. Graphic details and graphic photos.
Imo? Too graphic for a Christian site. But that is just me.

Those articles did make me ponder the state of the world, and the widespread depravity and lostness of mankind within it. They made me weep. And they inspired me to pray for Lily. And then to set my eyes on some goodness, after reading about such depravity. But did I want to read those graphic articles after just leaving a time of Bible study and prayer on the Book of Revelation? No, not really.

- I just need to be more careful about what threads I read. Not all threads are for everybody.

p.s.
Maybe threads like this one need a 'Graphic' warning in the title???
(Just an idea ... I got a million of 'em! )