So many people want to try this feature. Even edward. 

I think a lot of this boils down to the twitter-style of most apps. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are clients catering more to communities or topic-based follows. Which sort of gets rid of the parasocial aspects, for the most part at least.

Nostrudel is a great client for communities, if you haven't tried.

Nostrudel.ninja