Planet Money The Parable of Peanut the Memecoin
110 snips
Mar 5, 2025 
Mark Longo, owner and caretaker of Peanut, the viral pet squirrel, shares the incredible story of Peanut’s rise from street rodent to social media superstar. He reflects on the chaotic aftermath of Peanut's fame, including a political saga and the emergence of a memecoin in his name. Mark offers insights into the emotional rollercoaster of navigating online stardom, the challenges of recognition in the meme coin market, and the dark side of fame in today's attention-driven economy.
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Peanut's Rise to Fame
- Mark Longo found an orphaned squirrel, Peanut, and nursed him back to health.
- Peanut became an internet sensation, amassing millions of followers on social media.
The Attention Economy
- Social media allows anyone to become a broadcaster and monetize their attention.
- Traditional media models have been disrupted, allowing individuals and animals to gain fame quickly.
Monetizing Peanut
- Peanut's fame led to brand deals with Acorns, a peanut butter company, and nuts.com.
- Mark Longo, Peanut's owner, hadn't initially aimed to profit from Peanut but embraced opportunities.