On Taking Advice from Influencers: Max Weber, Bret Weinstein, Marques Brownlee, and Charismatic Authority

We live in an age of influencers — people with large social media footprints giving their opinions on products, people, and politics. An influencer’s positive reviews of products and people become endorsements. Their particular take on a social issue today becomes tomorrow’s talking point for their followers.

A paradigmatic example is Marques Brownlee. Brownlee is a reviewer of technology products and is one of the most-watched YouTubers globally, with…