ive observed something recently

there are two types of people: the people who imitate others, and the people who others imitate

the people who imitate others dont actually have their own defined personality but mimic more dominant personalities they see online. these are the kind of people who just discover what memes are and start posting them everywhere because they thought if they copied something that they found funny then other people would find them funny. they'll also latch on to anyone who shows them any sign of approval and attempt to satisfy that person for more approval biscuits

the people who others imitate have rigidly defined personalities and practically never change, even if changing is for the better. these are the kind of people who are such thorough a**holes that other people admire them for some reason instead of brushing them off as internet aholes

theres this toxic coming together where the malleable people who dont think much for themselves, although not initially bad, imitate people who are bad and thus online communities inevitably devolve into aholes and sheeple copying aholes

also there are some randoms who dont actually pay enough attention to get involved sprinkled in and theyre usually fleeting and contribute nothing