The shift in public sentiment from idolizing to questioning the so-called “elite persona” of internet personalities is quite intriguing.

On October 15, the live streaming account “Ting Quan Jian Bao,” known for its expertise in antique appraisal, made a comeback after a brief hiatus. The account has recently rebranded itself as “Ting Quan Shang Bao,” and this revival has once again sparked a surge of interest. In just over a year, the account’s follower count skyrocketed from a few hundred to tens of millions, only to gain an additional ten million followers in the past month. The account had previously paused due to controversy surrounding the authenticity of its creator’s educational background, seemingly to evade the sharp edges of public scrutiny. However, as the resumption of their broadcasts indicates, the creator humorously stated, “I originally planned to take a breather, but it looks like I ended up just sitting in silence.”

Looking back at the rise of “Ting Quan Jian Bao,” the creator initially focused on the niche of antique coins, gradually earning a reputation in the appraisal space. From there, they expanded their focus while introducing various entertaining elements, ultimately transforming into a highly popular live streamer.

Among the creator’s live interactions are individuals flaunting their wealth, lighthearted entertainers, those showcasing their knowledge about antiques, and even some claiming to be tomb raiders. This variety has effectively turned antique-themed streaming into a form of reality show. While providing entertainment value to viewers, the creator successfully crafted a mysterious “elite persona,” prompting many fans to praise their vast knowledge and speculate about their educational background.

At one point, there was rampant speculation that the creator had graduated from Peking University’s Cultural Heritage Department, stemming from a claim made on their personal information page. However, investigations revealed that this name was not listed among Peking University’s alumni. The creator later clarified in a video that the information was casually filled out and they never claimed to be a graduate of the university. Thus, this viral sensation faced one of the biggest setbacks in their career.

Despite the controversy ultimately having limited negative impact on “Ting Quan Jian Bao,” the drastic change in audience attitudes—from admiration to skepticism regarding the “elite persona”—is indeed noteworthy.

In the realm of short video streaming platforms, many streamers enjoy popularity due to their “high education” or “impressive backgrounds.” Some flaunt their degrees from prestigious universities, while others subtly imply their sophistication. While the authenticity of these backgrounds varies, what most viewers seem to admire is merely the façade of an “elite persona.” When it comes to selecting streaming content, audiences often favor relatable, down-to-earth, and entertaining material over purely professional expertise. This dynamic creates a perception that many internet celebrities, despite their grand reputations, often fail to meet expectations.

It’s undeniable that most people utilize the internet to unwind and find entertainment. However, they often feel compelled to justify this leisure time with a touch of intellectual engagement. Consequently, streamers with a built-in “elite persona” tend to have significant advantages.

Take “Ting Quan Jian Bao” for instance; while most viewers tune in primarily for the entertainment value of the interactions with the host and other streamers, some viewers also hope to learn a bit about antiques along the way. Without the serious-toned content providing a backdrop, it’s unlikely that the creator would have achieved the success they enjoy today.

This contradictory audience mindset is understandable and deserves no harsh criticism. It’s perfectly acceptable for viewers to seek pure enjoyment in their video-watching experiences; if they also happen to learn something, that’s just a bonus. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge how audience expectations have created a subtle imbalance on these platforms. Achieving a healthy platform ecosystem requires proactive guidance to prevent inferior content from overshadowing quality offerings.

While audiences admire the “elite persona,” they also gravitate toward lighter content, which opens doors for opportunistic individuals to craft deceptive personae and muddle the landscape. Simultaneously, this environment makes it challenging for truly knowledgeable streamers to connect with their audience on a deeper level and share their expertise. Those with no real expertise are essentially deceiving viewers, while those with genuine knowledge are left feeling underutilized and underappreciated.

In response, platforms need to take action, optimizing their ecosystems while considering audience needs, to allow genuine talent to shine and produce content that is both engaging and valuable. It’s vital to crack down on deceptive actions used to create false personas. Ultimately, a key question to ponder amidst these discussions is how platforms can achieve a “survival of the fittest” rather than letting inferior offerings prevail.