Followers are the whole point of a social network.
Only followers read most of what I write, especially once nostr gets discovered by bots and clients stop showing all replies from random accounts.
I want to achieve something in my life and only if my thoughts get amplified or questioned by others can I get leverage.
When my followers question my thoughts, I get valuable feedback which allows me to "outsource my sanity" as Jordan Peterson puts it.
When my followers copy and amplify my thoughts, my thoughts start to matter in the world.