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Sixteenth Minute (of Fame)
the backrooms: a blurry photo that changed the internet
Feb 11, 2025
Sara Bimo, a PhD candidate at York University specializing in creepypastas, and Peter Heft, a doctoral candidate examining liminality's psychological effects, dive into the eerie lore of the Backrooms. They discuss how a single blurry image ignited internet horror culture, resonating with themes of nostalgia and existential dread. The conversation uncovers the cultural significance of liminal spaces and their reflection of modern fears, especially in an era dominated by social media and online storytelling.
01:20:41
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Quick takeaways
- The Backrooms phenomenon illustrates how a single eerie image can evoke collective fears and connect various online communities around horror narratives.
- The evolution of horror technology, from email chain letters to Web 3.0, reflects society's changing anxieties regarding digital interactions and surveillance.
Deep dives
The Influence of Childhood Fears
Childhood experiences with horror often shape perceptions of fear, as showcased by the speaker's recollections of scary movies and YouTube videos that sparked anxiety in adolescence. A memorable experience involved watching the film 'The Ring,' which introduced the idea of cursed technology through a chilling narrative involving a videotape that predicted death. This concept reflects a broader cultural anxiety surrounding technology, exemplifying the fears associated with emerging media formats. The allure of horror lies in the thrill of facing fears, yet the reality is often more daunting than the excitement built by childhood bravado.
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