Sixteenth Minute (of Fame)

When Zoë Roth was four years old, her dad snapped a photo of her in front of a neighborhood home being burned with its owners permission to clear the land -- and the rest is internet history. This week, Jamie goes in depth with Zoë twenty years later about becoming a meme just as she started to form memories, how she's chosen to interact (or not interact) with it over the years, and why she chose to forge her own path. Also, a deep dive into meme managers, and why there are so many dead cats with representation. Get tickets to the Bechdel Cast show at Dynasty Typewriter here: https://www.dynastytypewriter.com/calendar-squad-upSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

In honor of the ten year anniversary of the left shark moment at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show in 2015, a very special rerun! Sixteenth Minute exclusive! We’ve got the first in depth interview with Bryan Gaw, aka the Left Shark himself.  This week, Jamie revisits the 2015 Super Bowl saga that was Left Shark — the costumed cartilaginous fish that went rogue in 2015 beside Katy Perry during a chorus of ‘Teenage Dream,’ capturing the world’s heart. The person inside is just as lovable, and Jamie takes the bus to West Hollywood to meet dancer-turned-celebrity-stylist Bryan Gaw to revisit one of the internet’s few wholesome moments.  Plus… ELLLLLVIS PRESTOOOO Follow Bryan Gaw here: https://bryangaw.com/ And here: https://www.instagram.com/bryangaw Original Air Date: 9.3.24See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this intriguing discussion, Ed Zitron, host of Better Offline and creator of the newsletter Where's Your Ed At, delves into the Hawk Tuah crypto scam and the potential outcomes of the impending lawsuit. He offers a keen analysis of the dark side of cryptocurrency, including the vulnerability of investors and the troubling trend of celebrity endorsements amidst a landscape ripe with scams. Zitron further explores the emotional toll of navigating micro-celebrity culture and the urgent need for accountability in the murky world of crypto.

Between June and December 2024, Haliey Welch completed one of the most astounding main character runs of all time. Beginning as someone with no social media, catapulted to fame all but against her will after talking to on-the-street YouTubers targeting drunk women, the end of the year saw Haliey "Hawk Tuah" Welch acting as the face of exploitative memecoin scandal. In our final part of the Hawk Tuah series, we look into the history of crypto, a play by play of the Hawk Coin scandal, and what it means when you scam before you can get scammed. Follow Molly White's work here: https://www.mollywhite.net/linktree/ Watch Dan Olson's "Line Goes Up" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_xWvX1n9g Watch Coffeezilla's "exposing the hawk tuah scam" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUHq8AWR1Rg  List of Displaced Black Families in Altadena: https://lasentinel.net/displaced-black-families-gofund-me-directory.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haliey Welch, known as Hawk Tuah Girl, shares her journey from a small town in Tennessee to viral sensation. She humorously recounts her childhood struggles and her rise in the media frenzy post-viral fame. The conversation dives into navigating unwanted attention and the complexities of modern celebrity culture. Haliey discusses the influence of figures like the Paul brothers and the shift towards sports betting culture in social media. Her resilience shines as she balances personal ambition with the often superficial landscape of fame.

Courtney Kocak, a former Girls Gone Wild street team member and podcaster, sheds light on the exploitative nature of the infamous franchise. She discusses the troubling consent issues that women faced then and parallels them to today’s TikTok culture. Kocak reveals the emotional toll of isolation and the societal pressures that lead to hypersexualization. Through personal anecdotes, she critiques the commercialization of personal stories and reflects on the complexities of female empowerment and image control in our digital age.

Hailey Welch, known as Hawk Tuah Girl, skyrocketed to fame from a viral moment, transforming from a factory worker in Tennessee to an internet sensation. The discussion delves into the absurdity of her rise, the ethics of consent surrounding viral content, and the societal pressures faced by internet celebrities. It also tackles the role of TikTok in amplifying her story and how rapid fame can distort personal identity and responsibility. Explore the complexities of navigating public perception and the implications of becoming a household name.

In this engaging discussion, guests dive into the aftermath of the LA fires, shedding light on those often overlooked in mainstream media. Theo Henderson shares the struggles of the unhoused in navigating crises. Alissa Walker highlights the long-term risks the fires pose to families and homes. Sara Reyes and Maebe A. Girl discuss the importance of mutual aid initiatives. Mychal Threets emphasizes libraries as vital community hubs during disasters, advocating for their role in fostering resilience and connection.

Willie McNabb is an Arkansas resident who shot to internet fame with his viral tweet about feral hogs. Joined by Professor John Tomacek from Texas A&M, an expert on the issue, and Karl Kasarda of InRangeTV, they discuss the surprising impact of McNabb's tweet amidst national conversations about gun control and wildlife management. The trio delves into the rising feral hog populations in southern states, innovative control strategies, and the cultural divide between urban and rural perspectives on firearms and feral hogs.