The Prop Anon Podcast
Ong's Hat and Weaponized ARG's: A Conversation w Joseph Matheny, Ong's Hat Creator & Transmedia Artist
Oct 19, 2022
Joseph Matheny, a pioneering transmedia artist and the mastermind behind Ong's Hat, dives into the impact of 'weaponized' alternative reality games. He explores how narratives can manipulate perceptions in the digital age, especially concerning conspiracy theories like QAnon. Matheny discusses the roots of Ong's Hat in the 1980s and reflects on the evolution of immersive art. He also highlights the psychological dynamics of cults and the influence of thinkers like Robert Anton Wilson, encouraging critical thinking to combat mental enslavement.
33:00
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Quick takeaways
- Joseph Matheny discusses how Ong's Hat pioneered transmedia storytelling, blending various media formats to create immersive experiences for participants.
- The conversation explores the emergence of QAnon as a weaponized ARG, illustrating the dangers of community dynamics and suspension of critical thinking.
Deep dives
The Concept of Ong's Hat
Ong's Hat emerged as a groundbreaking transmedia project that blended storytelling with numerous media formats, creating an immersive experience for participants. The narrative originated from the creative mind of Joseph Metheny and drew from influences of various artistic and technological fields. It involved a fictional facility run by renegade Princeton professors who explored a theory of dimensional travel, which encouraged participants to interact with the story in real life. This innovative approach paved the way for what would later be recognized as alternate reality games, intertwining narratives across books, films, and even live events to enhance engagement.
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