I think it's even more basic. I think people are generally pretty impressed with themselves and it's an ego stroke to think that anyone, yes anyone really gives a damn what they're doing. Even (or especially) the government. It's a cult of personality. Think about it. Senators on twitter? Government officials on Facebook? Think Rand Paul doesn't get off on how many followers he has? Yeah, the human ego is a powerfully exploitable force.
![Happy Very :happy-very: :happy-very:](/community/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/FeltTip/happy-very.png)