INFLUENCE
Matt Silverman
What does it really take to make a living (and an impact) on the Internet today?Join Matt Silverman (who has been covering online culture for 15+ years) in conversation with YouTubers, musicians, podcasters, streamers, journalists, TikTokers and more about turning creativity into a job, building community on ever-changing platforms, and their complex relationships with huge online audiences.INFLUENCE is the relaunch of 2 GIRLS 1 PODCAST, a weekly comedy/interview show about fascinating online communities, which ran for 7 years and nearly 300 episodes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 25, 2018 • 1h 9min
38 The psychological price we pay for social media
Even while you're sleeping, your social media persona is engaging with the world. This "always on" mentality is shaping the psychology of a generation. Alli and Jen talk to Dr. Leora Trub, a psychology professor at Pace University, who has authored numerous studies about the power our phones have on mental wellness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 18, 2018 • 1h 19min
37 Jediism: A Star Wars religion for your real spiritual life
Small collectives of Star Wars fans all over the world follow the spiritual path of the Jedi. But this isn't about fandom or cosplay. They live, train, and work by the Jedi Code. And while this philosophy is rooted in modern science fantasy, the tenets are not much different from the core of Buddhism or Christianity. Alli and Jen speak with the organizer of California Jedi, Katie Mock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 11, 2018 • 1h 16min
36 Ten facts about internet history you probably don't know
Matt cancels this week's guest and challenges Alli and Jen to the ultimate fan-requested trivia showdown. The stakes could not be higher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 4, 2018 • 1h 14min
35 This AI-hosted podcast is here to kill us all
Procedural generation is no stranger to media like video games, but it's especially compelling (and creepy) in podcast form. Alli and Jen talk to PhD programmer James Ryan, the creator of Sheldon County, a generative podcast hosted by a synthetic voice that's different for every listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 28, 2018 • 56min
34 Who snopes Snopes?
Snopes.com has been debunking urban legends and internet rumors since the mid '90s. But in an age of unprecedented disinformation coming from the highest authorities and most ubiquitous online platforms, how does a professional fact checker stay relevant and sane? Alli and Jen talk to Brooke Binkowski, managing editor of Snopes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 21, 2018 • 1h 9min
33 Reviewing airport carpets is the highest form of artistic criticism
Carpets for Airports is a website and community devoted to critiquing the largest art form ever devised -- the sprawling fabric underfoot when you're rushing to catch a flight. Do airport carpets have artistic and political meaning? Or are they merely functional? Alli and Jen talk to the "benevolent dictator" of the site, George Pendle, about which airport carpets stand the test of time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 14, 2018 • 1h 15min
32 The hidden cost of the exploding "Gig Economy"
Freelancing is on the rise, thanks in large part to technology. The modern internet allows people to work from anywhere, and access short-term gigs on the regular. Silicon Valley is saving us all from boring desk jobs, and traditional full-time employment is fading. Turns out, making a living as a contractor depends a lot on your socioeconomic background. Alli and Jen speak to Sarah Kessler, the author of "Gigged: The End of the Job and the Future of Work." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 7, 2018 • 22min
31 We got your emails VOLUME 2
A terrifying number of people have told us they listen to 2G1P to learn English. Please. THIS IS NOT AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 30, 2018 • 1h 35min
30 Know Your Meme: Cataloging 10 years of internet culture
Memes can be as trivial as a waffle falling over or as powerful as a social movement. But defining them, tracking their origins, mutations, and meanings is a tough job. Fortunately, the brave souls at Know Your Meme have been at it for more than a decade so we can rest easy knowing Slender Man and Ugandan Knuckles will be preserved for future generations. Alli and Jen interview Brad Kim, editor-in-chief of Know Your Meme, who started his online odyssey as an immigrant and humble intern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 23, 2018 • 1h 9min
29 The story of Reddit's "Ask Me Anything"
From its humble beginnings on "Ask Reddit" to the day Obama dropped by, r/IAmA has been the place where anyone on the internet can talk directly to public figures, celebrities, and people with interesting jobs or experiences. Alli and Jen speak with the subreddit's top moderator Brian Lynch about the evolution of "Ask Me Anything," and some its craziest moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
