

Roundtable: Sora 2, WitchTok vs. Crock-Pot, and Spiritual Longings
Oct 17, 2025
Ashley Schetzel returns to explore some fascinating topics. She delves into the playful clash between WitchTok and Crock-Pot over a absent cauldron, highlighting the significance of cultural aesthetics. The discussion shifts to a compelling study about spiritual longing, revealing how these desires evolve with age. Ashley also shares personal anecdotes on guiding conversations between parents and teens about internet culture. Finally, they unpack the rise of the AI-driven Sora app and its implications for future social media interactions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Meme Origins Change Meaning
- The “lion does not concern himself” meme shifted from a manosphere boast to ironic mainstream humor.
- CJ Phan warns that losing origin context can mask prideful or harmful roots of viral slang.
The Crock‑Pot Cauldron Backlash
- Crock-Pot teased a cauldron-style product and later declined to make it, sparking WitchTok backlash.
- Ashley compared the teaser to LEGO’s April Fools’ gadget, showing how vague marketing spurs entitlement.
Loud Online Groups Aren’t Representative
- Corporations often prioritize mainstream users over loud online niches when deciding products.
- CJ Phan suggests Crock‑Pot likely targeted the silent majority, like older daily users, not WitchTok.