Elitism of the Spectacle

The hierarchical dimension of the spectacle: while the spectacle appears democratic (everyone can post, anyone can go viral), it actually concentrates visibility, influence, and economic reward among a tiny elite. The elitism of the spectacle operates through algorithms that favor established names, through networks that amplify insiders, and through the sheer exhaustion of competing for attention. Most users are spectators, not spectacles. The elite—top influencers, celebrities, verified accounts—set the terms of visibility, shape trends, and capture the lion’s share of economic benefit. This elitism is denied by the spectacle’s own rhetoric of “anyone can be famous,” but it is structurally reproduced every day.

Example: “The platform claimed to democratize fame, but 0.1% of creators earned 90% of revenue—the elitism of the spectacle, where the promise of visibility masks a new aristocracy of attention.”

Elitism of the Spectacle by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 20, 2026