They always have been. The problem is that most of them have been working for the insurance, drug, cigarette, sugar, auto, war(petroleum) and advertising industries using their PhDs and statistical analysis to sell stuff by turning children stupid from their first year of understanding language.

People have become domesticated to making all decisions based on the Black Friday price they have right in front of them saying "The world isn't going to shit because you can still buy Diet Coke branded Christmas ornaments 10 for a dollar."

The only 'votes' that are counted are at the checkouts. Until we put the real cost of every product at that point, people will remain ignorant of all the things that make influencers rich and labor poor.

PS. Love the article. I couldn't have ranted better myself... ;)