Your observation
@Numero Uno is spot on. The pursuit of clout, the insatiable desire for attention and recognition, is as old as human civilization itself. It's a universal human trait to want to be seen, to belong, to be admired.
It kinda goes without saying that in the modern age, where social media has amplified our voices and magnified our presence, the desire for clout has become more prevalent, and more intensified.
It's easy to see why people resort to emulating others' styles, adopting their mannerisms, and mimicking their success. It's a shortcut to recognition, a quick path to validation. But as you rightly point out, this shallow imitation is a far cry from true authenticity. It's a desperate attempt to fill a void within, to mask an underlying insecurity with a borrowed façade.
True clout, the kind that endures and resonates, is not built on imitation but on originality. It's the courage to be oneself, to embrace one's unique quirks and passions, and to share them with the world without fear of judgment. It's the ability to inspire through authenticity, to stand out not by conforming but by being unapologetically one's self.