Social media influencers gained followers and views by refusing to evacuate during Hurricane Milton.

Question

Aspiring and established influencers experienced a surge of engagement by posting content of hurricane Milton, with some people staying in zones where evacuation was encouraged in order to post content of the storm.

Comments

I agree with this. As in according to snapchat media highlights, multiple companies such as Complex, TMZ, NY Times, and plenty more posted interviews from twitter pages of an older man staying in his boat for the hurricane. He actually survived as those same media outlets showed him and his boat after. His name is Lieutenant Dan, but a nickname for his attempt, but was succesful.

Answer 1

While influencers seem to be getting an increase in views during Hurricane Milton, this is a common theme throughout media when a large worldly disaster arises. The people who evacuated want to know what it looks like back at home, and the people across the world, also want to know what is going on in the world. A spike of views doesn't surprise the average media user because media footage on any platform can act as the news and can be educational, not just on television.

Comments

I agree with your claim and stance on social media influencers and content creators gaining views and followers through posting natural disasters or other vulnerable topics since it can be educational and interesting. You raise a good point of the spike in views doesn't surprise the average media user. What sources did you use to come to this conclusion and how did it shape your claim and opinion?

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While it is true that views and postings of natural disasters gain views for educational reasons, the main claim is overall accurate: by refusing to evacuate Hurricane Milton, certain social media users gained both views and followers. Though some people might have chosen to weather out the storm for personal reasons, undoubtedly several people chose to stay for the publicity. The NBC article proves this by mentioning that to Sam Hunter, "the storm started as a 'social experiment,' testing if posting hurricane content would attract an outsized number of viewers". In conclusion, the claim is correct.

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I agree with your fact-check. Views tend to increase around times of natural disaster, or if something else big is going on. This leads to people becoming popular because they've posted videos about what's going on where they live. Did you use any sources to support your claim?

Answer 2

One influencer, Caroline Calloway, has received increasing attention due her her refusal to evacuate her Florida home despite the touchdown of several tornadoes, signaling Hurricane Miltons arrival. Her content is causing varying reactions. Some claim Calloway is glamorizing the imminent threat of the storm, and should have her platform taken away due to her influence over impressionable groups, while others praise her for her bravery in facing the storm and documenting the damage and chaos occuring.

https://www.vox.com/culture/377637/hurricane-milton-evacuation-caroline-calloway-concrete-house-tiktok-lietuenant-dan

Comments

I appreciate the fact that you described both sides of the argument. It is easy to agree with someone's claim when they don't provide the opposing viewpoint. You are able to make a more educated decision on your opinion when both sides are presented. I wonder what Caroline Calloway's intentions were from the beginning - did she always plan on documenting to gain followers or was it an actual authentic perspective?

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I really like how you elevate both sides of the media regarding this this influencer! I feel as if not a lot of people tend to try or hear out the other viewers perspective. It makes a good argument for whichever side you choose to be with since you'll have a better understanding on the opposing side of your argument.