the backrooms: a blurry photo that changed the internet
Feb 11, 2025
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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.
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.
Exploring liminal spaces like the Backrooms reveals emotional responses to isolation and nostalgia in contemporary storytelling, particularly in the post-pandemic context.
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.
Evolution of Internet Horror
The podcast delves into the evolution of horror narratives through technology, tracking how themes shift from early internet anxieties to modern depictions in horror media. Initial fears were directed towards email chain letters with ominous consequences, evolving into contemporary portrayals of horror that intersect with social media dynamics. Films like 'Unfriended' illustrate this evolution by depicting horror set in the context of online interactions and digital surveillance. In recent times, the rise of Web 3.0 horror reflects deeper existential concerns, merging technology with societal fears to create complex narratives.
Liminal Spaces and Existential Themes
The concept of liminal spaces emerges as a pivotal theme in the discussion of modern horror, referring to transitional spaces that evoke feelings of unease and nostalgia. The emergence of the Backrooms—a series of empty, eerie rooms—captures this sense of displacement, resonating with audiences navigating a post-pandemic reality filled with uncertainty. Psychological implications of these spaces point to a longing for connection amidst isolation, making them a rich area for exploration in horror storytelling. Creative depictions in film and online content connect the feelings evoked by these spaces to broader societal anxieties about identity and belonging.
Creepypasta Culture and Community
Creepypasta stories have gained momentum as a unique form of internet literature, often characterized by their anonymous origins and communal storytelling. With each narrative shared, a collaborative folklore develops, allowing for a collective engagement with fears and thrills online. Stories like 'Ted the Caver' set a foundation for this genre, merging personal experiences with supernatural elements that resonate with online audiences. This blend of creativity fosters a vibrant community that often mirrors the experiences and challenges of growing up in an increasingly digitized world.
The Real-life Backrooms and Their Legacy
The physical manifestation of the Backrooms can be traced to a specific location, revealing a fascinating history linked to community spaces and small businesses. The story of 807 Oregon Street in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, illustrates how an innocuous photo has inspired a myriad of horror narratives, connecting fans to the building's rich legacy. As the community rallies around preserving this space, the Backrooms symbolize both a cultural phenomenon and a fight for local businesses amidst an evolving landscape. The intertwining of nostalgia, horror, and community highlights the importance of real-life connections in a time when digital spaces often dominate our interactions.
Our weirdest episode yet? Let's GO. This week, Jamie gets to the bottom of the backrooms, one of the most famous images on the internet -- posted to a horror-themed 4chan board in 2019, one blurry picture of an empty expanse of offices inspired teenage horror fans, online sleuths, and adults sinking into existential dread alike. We're looking at all three corners of the backrooms' history, from its legacy as a monster-filled creepypasta for the teens, a 'liminal space' for doomscrolling millennials, and a place to be tracked down by the detectives entrenched in lost media. Spoiler alert: the REAL backrooms are alive, well, and started a GoFundMe in Wisconsin.
