Many companies use social media as a means to communicate with consumers. Additionally, companies are increasingly discovering the power of social media “influencers” to promote their brands and products.
Watch the TED Talk from Rachel David, CEO of Hashtag Communications, an influencer marketing company.
After reviewing the video, discuss your thoughts on the content. What surprised you? Do you think David is correct in her assertions? What does she mean when she calls social media marketing the “Wild West”?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
In her TED Talk, Rachel David discusses the transformative power of influencers in modern marketing and highlights the impact they have on brand promotion and customer engagement. After reviewing the video, I found several key points that were both surprising and thought-provoking.
One aspect that surprised me was the scale at which influencer marketing operates. David mentions that the influencer marketing industry is estimated to be worth around $10 billion and continues to grow rapidly. This highlights the significant role influencers play in shaping consumer behavior and brand perception.
Another surprising point was the level of trust consumers place in influencers. David explains that influencers are seen as authentic and relatable figures, which leads consumers to trust their recommendations and opinions. This level of trust creates a unique opportunity for brands to connect with their target audience in a more genuine and impactful way.
David’s assertion that social media marketing is the “Wild West” resonated with me. She refers to the constantly evolving nature of social media platforms and the lack of regulations in this space. This makes it challenging for brands to navigate and fully understand how to effectively leverage influencers for their marketing campaigns. However, it also presents an opportunity for creativity and innovation in engaging with consumers.
I agree with David’s overall argument that influencer marketing can be a powerful tool for brands. The ability to reach a highly targeted audience through influencers who have established credibility and influence can yield significant results. Moreover, the genuine and authentic nature of influencer content allows brands to build an emotional connection with their customers, fostering loyalty and advocacy.
However, it is important to note that not all influencers are created equal, and not all influencer campaigns are successful. Brands must carefully select influencers who align with their values and target audience to ensure authenticity and relevance. Additionally, measuring the impact and ROI of influencer campaigns can be challenging, requiring brands to establish clear objectives and metrics for success.
In conclusion, Rachel David’s TED Talk brings to light the transformative power of influencer marketing in modern-day advertising. The surprising scale, trust factor, and dynamic nature of this industry make it an exciting and challenging space for brands to navigate. By effectively leveraging influencers, brands have the opportunity to connect with their customers on a more personal level, driving engagement and ultimately, business success.
