The Hunger for Presence: Why the "Flesh Man" Can Never Be a KOL
In Liu Zaifu’s Twenty-Five Types of People, the Flesh Man (肉人) represents the ultimate state of biological reductionism. These are individuals who exist purely for sensory gratification—eating, sleeping, and procreating—devoid of spiritual depth or intellectual ambition. While social media is full of "Mukbang" (eating shows) and fitness influencers, the true "Flesh Man" is fundamentally incompatible with the role of a Key Opinion Leader (KOL).
Why the Flesh Man Fails in the Digital Economy
Lack of Subjectivity: A KOL’s power comes from their "Opinion" or their unique perspective. The Flesh Man has no opinions; they only have appetites. They do not interpret the world; they merely consume it.
The Effort of Performance: Being a KOL requires a high level of "Self-Objectification" and discipline—editing, lighting, and narrative building. The Flesh Man is too governed by immediate laziness and comfort to endure the rigorous "labor of vanity" required by social media.
Absence of "The Shell": As discussed before, KOLs often fall into types like the "Puppet Man" or "Vulgar Man" because they adopt a persona (a shell). The Flesh Man is too raw and primitive to maintain a digital persona. They are "all body and no mask."
No Communicable Spirit: Social media is a medium of symbols and spirits. Even the most superficial influencer is selling a "lifestyle" (an idea). The Flesh Man isn't selling an idea; they are simply a biological process. You can watch a Flesh Man eat, but you cannot follow them, because they are not leading anywhere.
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