Is influencer a legitimate career?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Is influencer a legitimate career?". Your opponent's style: Bo Burnham

yes

You're dodging the real question. "Yes" to what—that influencers deserve legitimacy because they make money? That's circular reasoning. Making money doesn't make something a career, it makes it a transaction. A career implies skill development, institutional recognition, and resilience beyond algorithm changes. Influencers are entirely dependent on platforms they don't control, audience whims they can't predict, and a shelf life measured in months. One algorithm shift and they're obsolete. That's not a career—that's riding a wave until it crashes. What specific aspect of influencing do you think constitutes actual professional legitimacy?