We do not exist in a vacuum. This is the Net 2.0 era where social media is being defined by the masses who use it. The masses wishing to be followed urge others to do so; and it is up to individuals to either accommodate them or not, and to assign a relative value to the number of followers one has, or not.
Some might conclude that someone with a large number followers is likely a smooth talking salesman who should be viewed with skepticism. Whatever notariety comes with it, it is in the eye of the beholder.