This post began as a result of a conversation with my great friend and awesomely talented artist, Irene Perry. We first met at the York Arts and Crafts Awards in 2022. She incorporates glass, ink, watercolour and natural substances such as eucalyptus resins into her pieces. She supplies the East End Gallery with earrings, pendants, paintings and three dimensional glass sculptures. Irene is also in her eighties and she is currently recovering from having a major tendon re-attachment to her hip.
We were laughing about how to "sex up" Zimmer frames and wheelie walkers. Irene had just graduated from a Zimmer to a wheelie walker after she moved to her rehab centre. As a result of an aging population, wheelie walkers, Zimmer frames and Gophers are everywhere. We are living longer but mobility issues may also "walk" side-by-side with being a senior. And one would think that with all those years of lived experience, us Baby Boomers should be at the pinnacle of knowledge (but not necessarily wisdom) and relevance. We could rebrand ourselves as the "Age of Aquarius" fountains of influence...
Which brings me to the concept of "influencers". What on earth is an influencer? I had been vaguely aware of the term and then I watched a "Hard Quiz" episode called "Battle of the Influencers". The four influencers were youngish, dressed in very particular clobber (as per their influencer status), obsessively devoted to appearing on social media and were, bar one contestant, as thick as two short planks. All in their 30s, I would guess, a general question asking Bob Hawke's position stumped them all.
Influencers, according to the Oxford dictionary, are defined as "a person or thing that influences others". Okay...and? A Google search revealed "influencers have specialised knowledge, authority or insight into a specific subject. Their pre-existing presence in a niche makes them a useful launching pad for brands in search of credibility." Ye Gods...I could win "Wank Word Bingo" with this indecipherable terminology.
And they get paid for posing like nitwits, such as receiving virtual flowers, from their adoring followers. Honestly, if that what "influencing" is, I would prefer to walk over hot coals than behave like that...
Actually, with further thought, I realised that those of us who have achieved a certain vintage have figuratively walked over hot coals, fallen down wells (usually of embarrassment), conquered molehills and mountains, survived icy circumstances or people and occasionally basked in the glory of a job well done.
So, I went in search of "influencers" who may be old (but not dead yet), the young and older disabled who embrace their lifestyles with a bit of panache and anybody whose passions are on display for all and would definitely not be seen with a bunch of virtual flowers.
Forget "Granfluencers". My version of influencers are people who are hip, intelligent, entertaining and open without indulgently flaunting themselves. We are currently watching a series on the telly called "McCartney 321" featuring legendary musician Paul McCartney and music producer Rick Rubin. These blokes are seriously cool without even trying.
Then there are those sharing the world with us - the history, the landscapes, the people. Think Martin Clunes and his enthusiasm for islands all over the world. Or Tony Robinson bringing history, warts and all, into our living rooms. Even though his wardrobe may clash at times and he was a Tory, Michael Portillo has a special place in my heart.
And Gina Chick. Now she is an influencer. I loathe the formulaic and pointless series such as "Survivor" which pit people against each other. In "Alone" they were totally reliant on their own skills - physically, mentally and emotionally. Gina, a woman in her fifties, who has born a child, lost that child to cancer, worked on her recovery and used the wildness in herself and in nature to build an extraordinary career showed us how.
My favourite women who exuded style and elegance are, without a doubt, Joanne Woodward and Julie Andrews. These two knew how to influence without having to say a word. Both were actors who achieved spectacular highs as well as the occasional dismal flops. They also embodied compassion and philanthropy, establishing worthy enterprises without fanfare and not expecting recognition.
To be an influencer, in my opinion, is to have flaws aplenty, confidence, intelligence and empathy. We grow these attributes by living. What can the Millennials and Gen Zs who may be social media savvy or just wealthy possibly offer the vast majority of their followers? To really appreciate success, we must have known failure. To experience pure joy, we must have had sadness. To be thankful, we need to have lived through hardship. And to celebrate a hard fought result, we must have never given up.
As I am in danger of becoming far too serious, here are some of my tips for becoming an influencer. -
Have fun.
Seek out like-minded souls.
Blow raspberries at your partner or your children.
Own a pet.
Find a passion.
Travel - even if only out of your neighbourhood.
Marvel at the night sky.
Never stop learning.
Watch the dawn of a new day.
Have a sense of the ridiculous.
Cry when sad.
If you need to start a crusade, get on your horse.
Laugh until the tears run, your belly aches and you wet your pants.
Express yourself.
Now that's an exit!
