Source: Core Memory
The persistence of deliberately provocative personal branding—exemplified by Bay Area influencers engineering engagement through controversy—shows that the attention economy has professionalized the mechanics of outrage rather than maturing into more substantive models. Economic incentives for creators remain structurally aligned with polarization rather than authenticity, despite years of platform policy changes and advertiser pressure. The New Consumer's feed will continue to be engineered for maximum emotional reaction rather than genuine utility or discovery.