The Internet is The New Woods (Monsters, Ostension, & Moral Panics)
Update: 2023-01-16
10
Description
The Internet is The New Woods (Monsters, Ostension, & Moral Panics)
This episode introduces us to two "monsters" who were birthed on the internet, but couldn't be contained there. Their names are Slenderman and Momo, and they are great examples of a few key folkloric concepts. So join us as we take a look at Slenderman and Momo and learn about ostension, monster theory, moral panics, and the defining traits that make something folklore as opposed to just a simple online expression of creativity.
Guests:
Dr. Vivian Asimos, author of Digital Monsters and Digital Mythology and the Internet's Monster: The Slender Man
Ben Brock Johnson, Amory Sivertson, and Quincy Walters from WBUR's podcast, Endless Thread
Chelsey Weber-Smith, host of American Hysteria
Kathleen Hale, author of Slenderman: Online Obsession, Mental Illness, and the Violent Crime of Two Midwestern Girls
And featuring the voice talents of:
Jordan Reed as Georgeriegegege
Colin Parker as Victor Surge- Ty from Side Character Quest
📚 Check our book list for some great folklore-related books
Find us on the socials:
- Twitter: @digiFolklorePod
- Facebook: DigitalFolklorePod
- Instagram: DigitalFolklorePod
- TikTok: digitalfolklore
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In Channel
This episode was very emotional for me. I was unaware of the Momo story, but I did know a beautiful trans woman who called herself Momo. Having heard this story now, I can only imagine how much dysphoria and alienation she must have been feeling. A few years ago, she took her own life. It makes me wish I had reached out more to her, but I had a bit of a crush on her, so I was shy. She was so beautiful. Her loss still makes me sad. Anyway, great show. I'm really enjoying the philosophical elements.