When I was little, kids with attention seeking behaviors were often dismissed and even punished by our teachers and parents. Self promotion was considered boasting and was a sign of weakness and lacking true strength. I was told by my late father that small & weak dogs bark a lot more than big & strong ones.

However, if you look around on any social media, or even at in-person social events, there are a lot more people comfortably promoting themselves and seek attentions without hesitation. What were they told by their teachers and parents when they were little? I kept wondering while observing their behaviors.

Maybe their backgrounds (family, education, culture etc.) are the complete opposite to mine and they can comfortably misrepresent themselves online or in person, especially when doing so is financially rewarding.

There are probably no right or wrong answers, just the facts that people are adjusting their behaviors to the current social and economical environments. Even I’d still feel uncomfortable or even shameful to keep calling attention to myself, as a parent, I probably should not dismiss or punish my own kids for their attention-seeking behaviors anymore.

[The above is human(myself) generated content]

Anyways, below is a summary from Google Gemini which seems to be reasonable.

Pop culture encourages people to be in the spotlight, partly due to its celebration of individualism, success, and fame, and partly because social media platforms amplify this desire by providing tools for self-promotion and the pursuit of attention. This can be seen in the way celebrities are presented as aspirational figures and how online platforms incentivize the creation and sharing of engaging content. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Individualism and Achievement:Pop culture often emphasizes individual achievement, talent, and success, which can be showcased through being in the spotlight. 
• Celebrity Culture:The constant presence of celebrities in media and entertainment normalizes the idea of being famous and admired, creating a desire for recognition and validation. 
• Social Media Amplification:Social media platforms are designed to encourage engagement and sharing, which can translate into a desire for likes, followers, and visibility. 
• The “Selfie” Generation:The rise of the “selfie” culture and the emphasis on personal branding have made it easier for individuals to present themselves to the world and seek attention. 
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO):The constant exposure to others’ curated lives on social media can lead to FOMO, making people feel the need to be visible and participate in the digital spotlight.