research the economization of human attention through social media platforms, with a specific focus on Instagram; the rise of the influencer and the monetization of personality; and the resulting effects on gen-z in respect to career choice, aspirations, and self-identity. With combined revenue of 20 Billion in 2020, Instagram has transitioned from a passive photo sharing app to a global platform at the intersection of marketing, advertising, commerce and culture. In 2019 18% of businesses in the U.S. allocated $100-$500k, or nearly half of their marketing budget toward influencers, up from $50k-100k in 2017. What are the design and technology underpinnings that continually optimize digital interactions and time spent for sustained direct lines to consumer interest and attention? How have these developments created an arena for influencers to thrive, effectively shifting their existence from minor hobbyists to critical elements of annual business strategies? What are the industries that have been the most upended by influencers in the attention economy and how has increased collaboration with influencers impacted their bottom line? The past decade that gave rise to Instagram and Influencers simultaneously saw the decline of college enrollments at the undergraduate level, declining an average of 1.67% YoY. How has the existence of influencers, the cultural landscape they represent, and their redefinition of wholly owned revenue streams shifted the societal lens on formal education, accreditation and career paths, all of which seem to be declining signals of success
