Who influences the influencers? It's a question that rarely anybody asks, which is already a bit suspicious. In an age where we know more about our world than ever, whenever I see an unanswered question, I am always left wondering who benefits from the question remaining unanswered. Sure, there is not always an answer there, but preparing for the worst often leads to the best outcomes. I have a political mind. I never take things at face value, mostly because all of the information lies beneath the face. Humans speak in metaphors and legalities. They say what will please the most people, and do not say what will displease the most people. Even if you are "apolitical" you are still a politician to me. I do not want to hear proclamations of abstract concepts like "peace" or "love" or "freedom" from the politicized human psyche, and so I cut to the core. It does not take much investigating to find where influencers make their money. Up until recently I was under the impression that social media influencers were owned by corporations. There is ample evidence that this is quite true. Major corporations drop millions of dollars a year on marketing and the small pittance they dole out to social media influencers is only a very small part of that budget. However, I now have evidence that politicians are also funding social media influencers. Good thing you don't follow anyone famous, right? Not so fast. Micro-influencers, social media influencers with 25,000 followers or less, are now being used by companies and politicians alike. While some politicians disclose that they are using social media influencers, there is no law that requires such a disclosure. That means you are more than likely following an influencer who is under the influence of any number of party candidates up for election this year and any other year there is an election. In case you are wondering, this does not seem to be something that just the right is doing. On the right, several micro-influencers have been caught spreading lies about the election being "rigged", which also just happens to be the opinion of Trump and his followers. On the left, micro-influencers involved in the "healthy lifestyle" have been caught promoting information on climate change. This poses several difficult questions that virtually no one is asking. Is it ethical to use propaganda to further what you consider to be a "good cause"? Is manipulating people fine as long as doing so improves society in some way? Lying is not protected by the first amendment, so is deceptive marketing lying? Is the right to manipulate protected by law? Are your opinions your own or were they given to you by "alternative news sources"? I will tell you right now that it is difficult to think for yourself when your thoughts are not your own. This age of "free thinkers" is not what it seems. Everyone is manipulating, scheming, plotting to alter your worldview, to replace it with their own. Can you think freely in such a world? I think so, but it takes much more than the average person is willing to give. It takes skepticism, but it also requires a lighthearted cynicism as well. One must realize that you cannot assume the best of people in such a world in order to remain untainted with the propagandistic filth of partisans and snake oil salesmen. People who seek to control your minds are not your friends. Those of you who have been in abusive relationships know, more than anyone, that the abuser always seeks to infiltrate and change the mind. This is abuse. You are being abused when people secretly try to change your mind, whether it be for "your own good" or not be damned. It is important to remain distant from those who provide simplistic answers to difficult questions. Thinking for oneself is a human right. Nothing can change this. We must fight for our right to think freely. It is not the place of the government or big business to control thoughts. Liberate your mind and you have won.