Digital Folklore

This is the 2nd of 2 sample episodes/issues of Perry's new audio newsletter, Deceptive Minds. If you enjoyed these and want to receive future editions, please subscribe here. ---- Hey friends! Here's issue 2 of Deceptive Minds: a newsletter about how we are fooled, how we fool ourselves, and what we can do about it.

Hey listeners, Perry Carpenter here. I've got something exciting that I think you'll be interested in. It's the audio version of a newsletter that I recently started. The newsletter is called Deceptive Minds, and it's all about how we are fooled, how we fool ourselves, and what we can do about it. I'm dropping the first two episodes/issues in this feed so you can decide if you like it and might be interested in subscribing to the ⁠audio⁠ or ⁠print⁠ versions. Oh -- and while I've got your attention, I'd love for you to check out my new website ⁠⁠The Deception Project⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠https://thedeceptionproject.com⁠⁠. I've got a few fun things planned that should be landing there soon. So stay tuned. Thanks! Perry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Part Three of a ten-part miniseries exploring Perry Carpenter's latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions. Each episode kicks off with a dramatized reading of the "Whispers from the Static" vignette that opens the chapter, followed by an in-depth conversation with Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, where they unpack the chapter's themes and real-world implications. Get the Book (Amazon Associate Link): FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions Check out the website for more info: https://thisbookisfaik.com Voice credits for the opening "Whispers from the Static": Kayla Temshiv  This is the last episode we are publishing in this feed. If you enjoy The FAIK Files, be sure to follow the show's feed so you don't miss out on future episodes. Links to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-faik-files-decoding-ai-deception/id1771521321 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CGEktxUQAbgwQaWB922Ip?si=9-NazIazRgKCDXudoGwAdQ All others: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2409237 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Part Two of a ten-part miniseries exploring Perry Carpenter's latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions. Each episode kicks off with a dramatized reading of the "Whispers from the Static" vignette that opens the chapter, followed by an in-depth conversation with Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, where they unpack the chapter's themes and real-world implications.  Get the Book (Amazon Associate Link): FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions Check out the website for more info: https://thisbookisfaik.com We'll be posting episodes 1 through 3 on this feed. If you enjoy The FAIK Files, be sure to follow the show's feed so you don't miss out on future episodes. Links to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-faik-files-decoding-ai-deception/id1771521321 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CGEktxUQAbgwQaWB922Ip?si=9-NazIazRgKCDXudoGwAdQ All others: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2409237 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Part One of a ten-part miniseries exploring Perry Carpenter's latest book, FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions. Each episode kicks off with a dramatized reading of the "Whispers from the Static" vignette that opens the chapter, followed by an in-depth conversation with Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, where they unpack the chapter's themes and real-world implications.  Get the Book (Amazon Associate Link): FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions Check out the website for more info: https://thisbookisfaik.com We'll be posting episodes 1 through 3 on this feed. If you enjoy The FAIK Files, be sure to follow the show's feed so you don't miss out on future episodes. Links to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-faik-files-decoding-ai-deception/id1771521321 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7CGEktxUQAbgwQaWB922Ip?si=9-NazIazRgKCDXudoGwAdQ All others: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2409237 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

B&N Preorder Link: https://faik.to/GetFAIKed Amazon Preorder Link: https://amzn.to/3Lg55kZ Barnes & Noble is offering 25% off of pre-order books until July 17th if you join their free rewards program. Perry's new book FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions comes out October 1st of this year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On today's episode, Mason & Perry got to speak with Andrew Peck. This was a very special interview for us because it ties all the way back to the ending lines of season 1 episode 1. If it's been a while since you've listened to that episode, you may have forgotten that we ended with a quote from Andrew's paper: Tall, Dark, and Loathsome: The Emergence of a Legend Cycle in the Digital Age. And that was the perfect way to move into the rest of the season.  After that episode, Andrew was kind enough to reach out to us with some very encouraging words. That validation, right after our first episode, was incredibly encouraging. So it was an honor to be able to bring Andrew on the show in episode 7 of Season 2. … and he blew us away with his acting and how “all in” he was in the role we wrote for him. If you haven't yet listened to that episode, you'll want to add it to your list. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Andrew Peck (University Profile) Additional Resources (Books are Amazon Associates Links to help support the show) Digital Legend and Belief: The Slender Man, Folklore, and the Media, by Andrew Peck Folklore and Social Media, edited by Andrew Peck and Trevor J. Blank Journal Article -- Tall, Dark, and Loathsome: The Emergence of a Legend Cycle in the Digital Age, by Andrew Peck Journal Article: A Problem of Amplification: Folklore and Fake News in the Age of Social Media, by Andrew Peck Digital Folklore Season 2, Episode 7: If Memory Serves (Mandela Effect, Folk Trust, & AI) Folkwise Interview with Andrew

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of Season Two! Alas, Perry's audio track suffered some stuttering - but the gang reconvenes to debrief after a chaotic and wonderful adventure. Things we mentioned: How chaotically this episode came together, and we hint vaguely about a bunch of really cool stuff we almost did - and will be doing in the future. Some insight into details of the season's production, sound design, writing, etc. Mason brings up the "Dead Internet Theory" which he didn't clarify is a conspiracy theory, but at the heart of it is an idea that he felt compelling - that the noise of AI-generated content drives us farther apart online and into less accessible spaces. Some of our discord members share their favorite examples of liminal spaces! Somebody asked us if Gen Z was gonna be alright. Episode editing help by Matt Bliss of MBPod. If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

No-Clipping Reality (Liminal Spaces & Possibility) Out of the frying pan, and into the... backrooms, I guess? Welcome to the final episode of Digital Folklore's second season! We hope you've enjoyed the ride so far. Perry and Mason wander through endless, yellow, dank, decrepit hallways. Will they find Digby? Will Todd find them? What's going on? Where do we go from here? I don't know, I just write the shownotes. Speaking of writing the shownotes - Hey, if you're reading this - please join our Discord! Genuinely, it's a really rewarding place full of great folks - and we feel strongly about building a supportive community around our shared nerdiness. There's plenty of room for you! In This Episode: Voices from our discord community! The return of the famous Carterhaugh Twins*! Uncomfortably wet sound design (Mason says "you're welcome") Why transitions, waiting time, and all those other pockets of not-quite-doing-something-time are important. Rituals, fairytales, creepiness, light hearted joy, and so much more. *they're not actually twins, Daisy just got us saying that lol Guests: Dr Brittany Warman & Dr Sara Cleto:  Founders of the Carterhaugh School of Folklore & The Fantastic! They're incredible, and you should check out their work! Featuring voice acting from: Hannah Wright of Inn Between* as NEWSCASTER 2 Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby (and one of the newscasters!) Rich Daigle of Mouth Almighty as Todd *Mason plays the character Larkin in Season 5 of Inn Between!

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode! Things we mentioned: Perry & Mason discuss their most/least favorite emoji, their favorite contemporary legends, and their own embarrassing browser histories! Todd is real, and cursed Mason's editing computer. Mason reveals that he owns PregnantSonic.com, which points to the patreon page for the excellent audio drama podcast Inn Between (which Mason is a character on in the current season!) Perry retells an upsetting legend to Mason. Matt did some silly sound design in this one

Unwrapping Our Presence (Folklorist Favorites) Trapped by local small business owner, Todd, the gang attempts a daring escape. However, the fabric of this reality seems to be unraveling around them. Will they escape? Is this how they ended up driving off a cliff? Is Digby going to set off on his own, or stick with the crew? Tune in for all the answers - or perhaps, just more questions. In This Episode: Several familiar voices from season two, all together! Folklorists' favorite (and least favorite) emoji. Uncomfortable browsing history. Extreme supernatural happenings. (Super-nappenings?) Retellings of a few contemporary legends. Guests: Josh Chapdelaine:  Co-Founder and Head of Production at Digital Void, an internet literacies collective focused on how new and digital media affects humans. Josh is also Associate Director of the Media Studies MA program at CUNY Queens College, where he also teaches podcasting, social media, and propaganda. Joel Best, professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware; author of Halloween Sadism: The Evidence Elizabeth (Libby) Tucker, distinguished service professor of English at Binghamton University. Daisy Ahlstone, creator of Folkwise. Dr. Kristina Downs, Executive Director at the Texas Folklore Society and Assistant Professor at Tarleton State University, host of Crime Lore. Dr Cassandra Pfeifer, author, educator, and folklorist. Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby Rich Daigle of Mouth Almighty as Todd

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Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On today's episode, Mason & Perry got to speak with Ian Brodie. Dr. Brodie leads us through a fascinating discussion about humor, absurdism, dad jokes, improv, and the human condition. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Ian Brodie (Twitter) (LinkedIn) (YouTube) (Website) Additional Resources (Books are Amazon Associates Links to help support the show) University Page A Vulgar Art: A New Approach to Stand-Up Comedy (Folklore Studies in a Multicultural World Series), by Ian Brodie Old Trout Funnies: The Comic Origins of the Cape Breton Liberation, by Ian Brodie COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories: QAnon, 5G, the New World Order and Other Viral Ideas, by John Bodner, Wendy Welch, Ian Brodie, Anna Muldoon, Donald Leech, and Ashley Marshall Folkwise Interview with Ian Brodie

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode. Things we mentioned: We are joined again by our interview editor and all around great guy, Matthew Bliss! Let's talk about Todd We forecast the upcoming 'Unplugged Episode' with Ian Brodie Mason says, "I'm gonna say absolutely nothing useful" and then shares something mildly interesting. Listener messages and shout outs Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod. If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

The Death of Meaning (Gen Z Humor, Absurdism, & Trust in Platforms) The gang reconvenes! Perry & Mason venture once again into Todd's Pawn Shop, just in time for "Dada December" - but it would seem that the prices aren't the only unbelievable thing there... In This Episode: Two familiar voices! Why is Gen Z humor so absurd? Or... is it even that unique? How our trust in online platforms has been eroded. Expressions of authenticity online. What we can learn from studying humor. Several easter eggs for keen-eared listeners. We can (and should) appreciate joy for its own sake. Guests: Josh Chapdelaine:  Co-Founder and Head of Production at Digital Void, an internet literacies collective focused on how new and digital media affects humans. Josh is also Associate Director of the Media Studies MA program at CUNY Queens College, where he also teaches podcasting, social media, and propaganda. Ian Brodie: Folklorist, and author of A Vulgar Art: A New Approach to Stand-up Comedy He researches the intersection of folk culture and mass media, ranging from local radio song contests to the supernatural in children's television. Ian currently serves as the President-Elect of both the Folklore Studies Association of Canada and the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research. Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby Rich Daigle of Mouth Almighty as Todd

Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Ben Radford to get the lowdown on creepy clowns, media literacy, the influence of folklore, and the psychological aspects of human beliefs. We touch on how misinformation and panic are spread through hoaxes and social media, using the example of clown sighting panics as a case study. Ben also discusses his investigations into paranormal phenomena and the experiences and empathy needed for effective investigation. His approach to investigative skepticism emphasizes the necessity for empathy, respect, and rigorous research.  Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Ben Radford (Twitter) (Website) (Podcast) Ben's Books (Amazon Associate Links) America the Fearful: Media and the Marketing of National Panics Bad Clowns Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search for Spirits Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore ... and many more books by Ben

Happy Holidays! Everyone here at Digital Folklore wants to extend their holiday well-wishes, as well as a special reading of a classic Christmas poem. Thank you, for everything. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you! Happy holidays, happy new year, and to all a good night.

In this special catch-up episode, Digital Folklore podcast creators Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus have a candid chat about the show so far. They spill behind-the-scenes secrets about unexpected plot twists, their creative process for audio storytelling, and how they brought this modern folklore to life. You'll also learn some fun and interesting ways their real life circumstances have woven their way into the show's mythos. The hosts share behind-the-scenes insights from interviews and emphasize the value of preserving modern folklore. Whether you're a longtime listener or just tuning in, this episode lets you in on the hosts' journey and the growth of Digital Folklore from idea to award-winning show.

Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. In this interview Perry and Mason speak with Dr. Andrea Kitta. Dr. Kitta provides her thoughts on the importance of being able to view world events and trends through the lens of folklore. We also hit on how both positive and negative forms of folklore arose during the pandemic. Folklore and public health. Folklore and technology. And you'll also hear Andrea Kitta's favorite urban legend… It's a creepy twist on a classic. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Andrea Kitta (Twitter) (Google Scholar Page) Additional Resources (Books are Amazon Associates Links to help support the show) University page and CV The Kiss of Death: Contagion, Contamination, and Folklore, by Andrea Kitta Vaccinations and Public Concern in History: Legend, Rumor, and Risk Perception, by Andrea Kitta Andrea Kitta on The Fabric of Folklore podcast: Ep 16: Dr Andrea Kitta, The kiss of death and other medical beliefs and legends Folkwise interview with Dr. Andrea Kitta

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode. Things we mentioned: We formally introduce Matthew Bliss! Geeking out about audio stuff Perry and Mason remember being floored by receiving an email from Andrew Peck after the pilot episode We are in awe of Andrea Kitta Listener messages Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod. If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

If Memory Serves (Mandela Effect, Folk Trust, & AI) We split the party! While Perry is searching for answers to all the inexplicable weird things happening lately, Mason is searching for Digby. Meanwhile, Digby is out to find his place in the world as an artificially-intelligent raccoon - and he just so happens to catch a ride with Andrew Peck. Perry finds something strange in a pre-recorded interview with Andrea Kitta, and as the crew goes their separate ways... it seems that everything is converging on a single familiar location. In This Episode: Andrew Peck does a phenomenal job voice-acting, after Mason wrote him a ton of lines. Andrea Kitta covers a ton of ground very quickly, as we talk about several facets of folklore in the modern age. The deferral of fact-checking, and the implicit trust within folk groups. The impact of AI tools on disinformation, as well as 'information' more broadly. The Mandela Effect, and how unreliable memory is. Mark Norman makes an acting cameo. Guests: Andrea Kitta:  A folklorist with a specialty in medicine, belief, and the supernatural. She is also interested in Internet folklore, narrative, and contemporary (urban) legend. Her current research includes: vaccines, pandemic illness, contagion and contamination, virality, stigmatized diseases, disability, health information on the Internet, and Slender Man. She is a fellow of the American Folklore Society. Andrew Peck: A folklorist, media scholar, and ethnographer whose research focuses on how digital media offers new possibilities for persuasion and everyday communication. His current research focuses on how online communities circulate and contest knowledge using memes; and how hoaxes, rumors, and urban legends develop and circulate across networks. Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby Mark Norman of The Folklore Podcast as Mark Norman

Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On this episode, Perry got to speak with Dr. Kristina Downs. This was a fun one. We talk about conspiracies at the Dallas zoo, the power of memes and satire accounts, meme warfare, and tons of fun with urban legends. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Kristina Downs (Twitter) (Podcast) Additional Resources (Books are Amazon Associates Links to help support the show) Interview on Folkwise Interview on The Fabric of Folklore: all about True Crime and Folklore Why I'm a Folklorist Kristina's podcast, CrimeLore. A podcast that examines the intersections between our traditional stories and true crime. Available on most podcasting apps. Advancing Folkloristics, by Jesse A. Fivecoate (Editor), Kristina Downs (Editor), Meredith A. E. McGriff (Editor), et al. The Aesop's Fable Paradigm: An Unlikely Intersection of Folklore and Science (Encounters: Explorations in Folklore and Ethnomusicology), by Marisa Wieneke Kristina Downs K. Brandon Barker (Editor, Contributor), et al. Folklore in the United States and Canada: An Institutional History, by Patricia Sawin (Editor), Rosemary Levy Zumwalt (Editor), et al.

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode. Things we mentioned: We start off way too formal for some reason... New AI gadgets. A notebook/pen combo and StarTrek like communicator pin. AI and the human condition. Mason hates doing sound design for footsteps. A bit of listener feedback We feel sad for Digby Hints at what and who to expect on the next episode Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod. If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

Statistically Conscious (Artificial Intelligence) After the procedure revealed that Digby's implant is essentially running an artificial intelligence, Digby falls into an existential crisis about whether or not he is actually a sapient being. Mason is worried because the podcast is falling behind on production, and Digby is not helping. He and Perry decide to try and kill two birds with one stone by interviewing experts on artificial intelligence. They learn about how the technology works, the intersection of AI and folklore, and they ask John Laudun directly how they could prove that Digby is not an AI. In This Episode: Digby is inconsolable, the poor guy. Is Perry also losing his grip on reality? How natural language AI like Chat GPT works. John Laudun trained an instance of Chat GPT on only Reddit's conspiracy forum. Discussions around the impact of artificial intelligence on folklore. We somehow pronounced John's last name wrong

Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Dr. Jeana Jorgensen. We touch on several key themes in this interview… everything from the multidisciplinary nature of Folklore Studies, to the value of studying folklore, the dark side of folklore… how it can be weaponized, and a whole lot more. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Jeana Jorgensen (Twitter) (Website) Dr. Jorgensen's Books (Amazon Associate Links) Folklore 101: An Accessible Introduction to Folklore Studies Fairy Tales 101: An Accessible Introduction to Fairy Tales Sex Education 101: Approachable Essays on Folklore, Culture, & History

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode. Things we mentioned: Mason's continued travel adventures and mishaps Mick West's interview on Perry's other podcast, 8th Layer Insights. Mason talks about the movie in his head that forms the sound design for the opening scene Crazy stuff about creepy clowns Apparently attending the ISCLR event this year was great for finding guests! Everything connects to Mick West LOTS of listener messages... and Digby got fan mail! Fun with ChatGPT Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod. If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

Down the Raccoon Hole (Deprogramming Conspiracies & Creepy Clown Lore) Digby is fully lost in a conspiracy rabbit hole. Perry dreams of an earlier interview he did with Mick West about how people get wrapped-up in conspiracies which shakes loose the memory of an underground 'deprogramming' center. The gang trick Digby into a road trip to the deprogramming center by telling him that the location is actually the enemy's secret headquarters. In This Episode: We continue to play with our intro sequence Perry has a dream/nightmare about conspiracy theories Clips from Perry's interview with Mick West from a couple years ago. Perry and Mason are creeped out by a security guard dressed as a creepy clown Digby makes tinfoil hats Guests (Book links are Amazon Associate links): Mick West: Science writer, skeptical investigator, retired video game programmer. Author of Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories Using Facts, Logic, and Respect. (YouTube) (Twitter) (Website) Benjamin Radford: Skeptical researcher and author of over a dozen books including Bad Clowns and America the Fearful: Media and the Marketing of National Panics. Co-host of the Squaring the Strange podcast Brent Lee: Ex-Conspiracy Theorist of 15 yrs and host of the Some Dare Call it Conspiracy podcast. (Twitter) (Patreon) Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby Tucker Bettez of PodCube as Dr. Sphynkyll Lindsey Reed of Spooky Spouses as the Desk Clerk

Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On this episode, Perry & Mason speak with Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman from the Carterhaugh School of Folklore & the Fantastic. You'll hear early on that we were interviewing them primarily as part of our “Why is Old Tech Creepy” episode from last season… so we touched on themes of The Gothic, nostalgia, and things like that… but we didn't stop there. Sara and Brittney run a school for Folklore studies and they love to share their wisdom and passion for all things folklore and fantastic.  So we couldn't help ourselves, we jumped into questions around folklore-basics, terminology, transmission, social issues, and how studying folklore enriches our lives. Just a reminder – if you are one of our Patreon supporters, you get access to these interviews a few days early before they go live in our public podcast feed.  Ok, let's get unplugged… Guests: Dr. Sara Cleto Dr. Brittany Warman Relevant Links: Carterhaugh School (Website) (Twitter) (Instagram) Carterhaugh School Courses Carterhaugh School Events Wondrium course on Dracula Relevant Books (Amazon Associate Links) The Real History of Dracula audiobook, by Dr. Sara Cleto & Dr. Brittany Warman

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode. Things we mentioned: Joel Best as a jack o'lantern, on Adam Ruins Everything. Elizabeth (Libby) Tucker We won 5 awards from the Signal Awards! Digital Void and Josh Chapdelaine The jorts revival we all feared. Ben Radford and the Squaring the Strange Podcast Episode editing by Matt Bliss of MBPod and Blissery.fm. If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

Think of the Children (Halloween Sadism & Internet Challenges) After MEMExpo, the crew reconvenes to find Digby in a state of absolute chaos. He has absorbed every conspiracy he could find, and linked it all back to a pipeline starting with tainted Halloween candy. In an effort to convince Digby that he is being ridiculous, Perry and Mason decide to do some research... In This Episode: Joel Best as a jack o'lantern, from Adam Ruins Everything. Guests: Joel Best, professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware; author of Halloween Sadism: The Evidence Elizabeth (Libby) Tucker, distinguished service professor of English at Binghamton University. Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby

Welcome to another installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged. Unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. This is part two of our interview with Dr. Lynne McNeill. If you've not yet listened to part 1, you can find it here… but that's not really necessary to appreciate today's discussion. Lynne McNeill's name is nearly synonymous with the study of Digital Folklore. Her work and her voice has been instrumental in helping people understand that our online world is just an extension of our lives… and it's not only a place where folklore can arise… but thrive at a speed and scale previously unimaginable. In this episode, Lynne shares her thoughts about the value of studying folklore academically, how digital platforms influence the types of folklore created on them, the concept of Poe's Law, examples of digital legend tripping, her favorite urban legends, and more… This is an action packed episode that you won't want to miss. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Lynne McNeill (Twitter) (Website) Videos: Lynne's TEDx Talk: Folklore doesn't meme what you think it memes And a great lecture by Lynne: CWG Brown Bag: Lynne McNeill Paranormal Caught on Camera's Lynne S. McNeill + Sociologist Margee Kerr Talk FEAR & Modern FOLKLORE Relevant Books (Amazon Associate Links): Folklore Rules: A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of Academic Folklore Studies, by Dr. Lynne S. McNeill Slender Man Is Coming: Creepypasta and Contemporary Legends on the Internet, edited by Dr. Trevor Blank & Dr. Lynne S. McNeill Legend Tripping: A Contemporary Legend Casebook (Contemporary Legend Casebook Series), edited by Lynne S. McNeill & Elizabeth Tucker The Choking Doberman: And Other Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand  Encyclopedia of Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand 

Perry & Mason catch up after the production of the last episode. Things We Mentioned: Digital Void & The Digital Void Podcast Dr. Kristina Downs's previous podcast, Crime Lore Our assistant editor Matthew Bliss's podcast, From My Home to Yours If you want to find the extra clips and BTS snippets, join our Discord server using the link below!

Defying Convention (Memes, Conspiracy, & Communication) Despite their best efforts, the gang cannot stop the flow of time and MEMExpo is upon them. Perry and Mason venture into the convention looking for someone to essentially do their presentation for them. As it happens, they encounter Josh Chapdelaine of Digital Void for an insightful conversation about memes and online communication. After failing to con Josh into presenting for them, the Digital Folklore crew encounters Dr Kristina Downs. After buying out all of the merch from the Texas Folklore Society booth, she agrees to do the talk - presenting on the strange online commentary following the theft and/or escape of several animals from the Dallas Zoo. In this episode: Black Software by Charlton D. McIlwain. Memes in Digital Culture by Limor Shifman. A veritable scavenger hunt of meme references in the background. The Dallas Zoo animal thefts. Perry says "Macaroni with the chicken strips". Guests: Josh Chapdelaine, creator and educator with Digital Void. Dr. Kristina Downs, Executive Director at the Texas Folklore Society and Assistant Professor at Tarleton State University, host of Crime Lore. Featuring voice acting from: Jace as the 'Naruto Run 5k' announcer - available for voiceover work! Eli Chambers as the over-eager expo employee (and composer of our theme music). Ty V. from Side Character Quest as the sketchy meme dealer. Jordan & Lindsey Reed from Spooky Spouses as background con-goers. Tucker Bettez & Aidy from PodCube™ as background con-goers.

Welcome to another installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged. Unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. Today's guest is Dr. Lynne McNeill. Lynne McNeill's name is nearly synonymous with the study of Digital Folklore. Her work and her voice has been instrumental in helping people understand that our online world is just an extension of our lives… and it's not only a place where folklore can arise… but thrive at a speed and scale previously unimaginable. This interview ran for over 2 hours in length, so we're breaking it up into two parts. This is part one. In it, Lynne shares her thoughts on the intersection of AI and Folklore, conspiracy theories, the interesting paradox of studying folklore academically, and more… Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Lynne McNeill (Twitter) (Website) Videos: Lynne's TEDx Talk: Folklore doesn't meme what you think it memes And a great lecture by Lynne: CWG Brown Bag: Lynne McNeill Paranormal Caught on Camera's Lynne S. McNeill + Sociologist Margee Kerr Talk FEAR & Modern FOLKLORE Relevant Books (Amazon Associate Links): Folklore Rules: A Fun, Quick, and Useful Introduction to the Field of Academic Folklore Studies, by Dr. Lynne S. McNeill Slender Man Is Coming: Creepypasta and Contemporary Legends on the Internet, edited by Dr. Trevor Blank & Dr. Lynne S. McNeill Legend Tripping: A Contemporary Legend Casebook (Contemporary Legend Casebook Series), edited by Lynne S. McNeill & Elizabeth Tucker The Choking Doberman: And Other Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand  Encyclopedia of Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand 

A little catch-up after episode 2! THIS is the first thing Perry & Mason ever made together - an immersive heist in which Perry plays a helicopter pilot as Mason and the PodCube™ crew attempt to steal Mark Zuckerberg's baby teeth. And THIS is the episode of 8th Layer Insights that sketch was created for! Check out Perry's other podcast 8th Layer Insights! It's an immersive and fun exploration of the human element of security. Check out Mason's other podcast, PodCube™! It's a series of hilarious sketches, a bit like an absurdist audio cartoon. Brooke Jennett (the voice of Digby), is one of the creators of THIRTEEN. It's a monthly horror podcast featuring great original spooky stories and musical scoring. Check out Luke Mordue's podcast (that Perry mentioned), Urban Legends! And last but not least, check out Freaky Folklore (the other show that Perry mentioned)!

The Links Between Us (Algorithmic Identity, Goncharov, and Tumblr) With MEMExpo looming tomorrow, the Digital Folklore gang pulls an all-nighter trying to piece together a presentation. They speak with Dr. Cassandra Pfeifer about identity and online communities, as well as the effect of algorithmic content curation on our sense of identity. Then, they call up Lauren Shippen and Cherokee McAnelly from the Dashboard Diaries podcast to talk about Tumblr's uniqueness as a platform, and Goncharov - the greatest mob movie never made. Plus, loads of easter eggs from the internet era of the early aughts! In this episode: The mystery of the 'p' in 'pH' None Pizza with Left Beef How the current college-age generation views their online folk groups vs their offline folk groups. The way algorithms effect our worldview, and vice versa. Goncharov - Martin Scorsese's most important film (that he never made). Tumblr's unique userbase & culture. Guests: Dr Cassandra Pfeifer, author, educator, and folklorist. Lauren Shippen & Cherokee McAnelly, hosts of the Dashboard Diaries podcast. Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby.

Welcome to Digital Folklore Unplugged! Unplugged episodes are where we ditch all the fancy production and story elements and bring you the raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On this episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Paul Prater. Paul is a multifaceted guy – a lawyer, a musician, a mentalist and bizarre entertainer, an author… oh… and he collects ghost stories and leads haunted tours.  Topics covered include: Magic / mentalism / bizarre magic & storytelling Thoughts on what makes something 'creepy' Paul's experiences leading Ghost Tours Paul's favorite urban legend The importance of narrative storytelling for society Just a reminder – if you are one of our Patreon supporters, you get access to these interviews a few days early before they go live in our public podcast feed.  Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Paul Prater (Twitter) (YouTube) (Website) Mentioned in the episode: Paul's "The End of Summer" performance (YouTube video) Haunted Argenta, Arkansas Relevant Books (Amazon Associate Links) Haunted Argenta, by Paul Prater What Follows is True: The Crescent Hotel, by Sean Fitzgibbon House of a Hundred Rooms: Tales the Ghost Tour Guides Do Not Tell, by Keith J. Scales The Choking Doberman: And Other Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand  Encyclopedia of Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand 

Perry & Mason talk shop about the process of making Digital Folklore Season 2

Mark My Wizard (Research, Inclusivity, & Collaboration) The Folkswagen sails off a cliff. Perry can explain, but it's going to take a while. Perhaps... a whole season. It all starts when the crew decides to visit other creators who specialize in making media about folklore studies. First, they visit Mark Norman - who lives behind a grocery store, inside a bizarre apartment complex shaped like a wizard's tower. After chatting about how Mark has managed to run his podcast for over eight years, the crew heads a few floors down in the tower. They encounter Daisy Ahlstone, one of the creators of Folkwise - a folklore-centric livestream show on Twitch. Daisy teaches Perry and Mason about inclusive research practices, and loads more In this episode: Participatory action research. The folklore of Scooby-Doo. Perry says "butts". Folklorists as 'Enthusiasm Enthusiasts'. How to continue learning about folklore, and how to reach more people. Guests: Mark Norman, host of The Folklore Podcast. Daisy Ahlstone, creator of Folkwise. Voice Actors: DIGBY performed by Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN; an immersive, slow-burn, spooky podcast with great original stories released every month on the 13th.

Welcome to our 4th installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged. These unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. Today's guest is Chelsey Weber-Smith. Chelsey is the creator and host of American Hysteria, a show that probes the depths of our collective anxieties, our shared stories, our cultural myths and legends, and even those mass panics that occasionally sweep through the nation. American Hysteria is not just a podcast, it's a journey into the heart of American culture… into the intricacies of our shared psyche. Every episode pushes us to question and reconsider the narratives we have been fed, the myths we've been told, and the truths we think we hold dear.  Chelsey peels back the layers of our society to expose its underbelly, revealing the impact of the stories we tell ourselves. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Chelsey Weber-Smith (Twitter) (Website) Relevant Books (Amazon Associate Links) America the Fearful: Media and the Marketing of National Panics, by Ben Radford Moral Panics: The Social Construction of Deviance, by Erich Goode & Nachman Ben Yahuda Folk Devils and Moral Panics: The creation of the Mods and Rockers (Routledge Classics), by Stanley Cohen The Choking Doberman: And Other Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand  Encyclopedia of Urban Legends, by Jan Harold Brunvand 

Sit down with Perry & Mason as they discuss the state of Digital Folklore! On today's episode, our hosts pull back the curtain to talk candidly about season one of the podcast, the results of our survey, and the plans for season 2. We're always looking to hear from you, too! If you have ideas, topics you'd like to see covered, feedback, or anything else - drop us an email! Hello@8thLayerMedia.com Season two will launch on September 4th, 2023. If you're hungry for more Perry & Mason content before then, you can check out their other shows: Perry hosts and produces 8th Layer Insights, a multidisciplinary exploration into how the complexities of human nature affect security and risk. While it is ostensibly about cybersecurity, 8LI takes a unique and accessible approach; specifically exploring the human element of security, deception, and risk. You don't need to be a 'computer person' to enjoy it! From interviews with social engineers who get paid to break into high-security areas, to spy stories and hacking legends - if you're a fan of Digital Folklore, you'll probably love 8th Layer Insights. Mason co-hosts and produces PodCube™, an immersive, surrealist sketch comedy podcast. Every episode is short, around five minutes long. It's absurd, satirical, and deeper than you'll expect. You can listen to any episode in any order - it's the perfect show for when you need a good laugh break. The sound design and acting combine to create an experience like listening to an audio-only cartoon. If you love the silly side of Digital Folklore, you'll really enjoy PodCube™.

Welcome to our 3nd installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged. These unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. On today's episode, Perry & Mason sit down with Mark Muncy.  Mark is the author of Eerie Florida, Eerie Apalachia, Creepy Florida, and more. He also hosts a podcast called Eerie Travels. It's a weekly show, where he and his co-host Erika Lance explore monsters, legends, history, and mysteries. Each episode, we invite you to explore destinations for your own Eerie Travels! And – just a reminder – if you are one of our wonderful Patreon supporters, you get access to these interviews a few days early before their general release.  Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Mark Muncy (Facebook) (LinkedIn) (Twitter) (Website) (Podcast) Books (Amazon Associate Links) Eerie Florida: Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys  Freaky Florida: The Wonderhouse, the Devil's Tree, the Shaman of Philippe Park, and More Creepy Florida: Phantom Pirates, the Hog Island Witch, the Demented Doctor at the Don Vicente and More Eerie Appalachia: Smiling Man Indrid Cold, the Jersey Devil, the Legend of Mothman and More

Season Two is On The Way! In the meantime, please take our listener survey! It's only 10 questions, and takes about 5 minutes tops. Get ready for more adventures, escapades, and experts in season two of Digital Folklore! Topics in the upcoming season include (but are not limited to): Meme warfare Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracies How specific online platforms shape folklore creation The Mandela Effect Artificial intelligence The folklore of absurdity and the subtext of meaninglessness Folklorists' favorite legends And more!

Welcome to our 2nd installment of Digital Folklore Unplugged. These unplugged episodes are all about stripping away the fancy production elements so that we can give you access to raw (or slightly edited) interviews with folklore experts. Today's guest is Dr. Diane Rodgers. Diane is a senior lecturer in Media at Sheffield Hallam University where she specializes in Alternative Media and Storytelling in film and television. Her research interests relate to the communication of folklore and contemporary legend in the media including: folk horror; folklore on screen; the supernatural, ‘spooky' television programming aimed at children, and other darkly fascinating topics. Diane's PhD research was on folk horror and hauntology in 'wyrd' 1970s British Film and Television. She's also co-founder of the Centre for Contemporary Legend research group. And if you are one of our wonderful Patreon supporters, you get access to these interviews a few days early before their general release.  Also mentioned in this episode was the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research (ISCLR). Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: Dr. Diane A. Rodgers (Twitter) (Website) Relevant Books (Amazon Associate Links) Folk Horror: New Global Pathways, edited by Dawn Keetley & Ruth Heholt The Friends in the Furrows (anthology of folk horror) Dark Folklore, by Mark Norman Hauntology: Ghosts of Futures Past, by Merlin Coverley Ghosts of My Life: Writings on Depression, Hauntology and Lost Futures, by Mark Fisher

Welcome to Digital Folklore… Unplugged Edition. “Unplugged” is a new, additional, episode format type we're trying out.  Digital Folklore episodes labeled as “Unplugged” will be much more like traditional interview-based podcasts. Whereas our standard episodes tend to focus on a fun way to present a single topic or set of tightly related topics, Digital Folklore ‘unplugged' is about showcasing our interviewees… and so will often touch on a wide range of topics in a single interview.  Today's guest is GennaRose Nethercott. She is a folklorist, an author, a poet, and is also a researcher & producer for the podcast Lore. She's won a National Poetry Series award for her book, The Lumberjack's Dove… and her most recent book, Thistlefoot, a reimagining of Baba Yaga that she somehow effortlessly weaves together with American road adventure, the complexity of sibling relationships, and puppetry…  What you are about to hear is a roughly 45 minute excerpt from our full hour and 30 minute interview with GennaRose. If you're a Patreon supporter, you can head over to Patreon for access to the full interview where you'll hear about GennaRose's life as a child clown, her quest to secure a bell tower to work from, what it was like to win the National Poetry Series, the writing of Thistlefoot, and more… That's all on Patreon. We pick up here with a discussion of folklore, urban legends, and the interesting time we find ourselves in, which is enabled by social media and other forms of mass public online expression…. Ok, let's get unplugged… Guest: GennaRose Nethercott (Twitter) (Website) Books (Amazon Associate Links) Thistlefoot: A Novel The Lumberjack's Dove: A Poem

Technical Difficulties (Dr. Lynne McNeill) We're joined by veritable digital folklore superstar Lynne McNeill! We are also joined by innumerable technical gremlins, as well as some obvious problems as Perry discovers that Mason has bulldozed the inside of his studio in order to look good on the video chat. Dr. McNeill offers up an immense amount of knowledge and insight, while Perry and Mason barely hold things together. In this episode: Lynne's brilliant definition of folklore. Misinformation, disinformation, media literacy, and the dark side of folkloric transmission. How studying folklore might be more important now than ever. The 'Folklorist's Forensic Toolkit' (how to think like a folklorist). Too much great information to fit in this list! Guest: Dr. Lynne McNeill, author of Folklore Rules, and head of the folklore program at Utah State University. She's also on Twitter! Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby. Tucker Bettez of PodCube as Dr. Sphynkyll.

Tell Me What You Remember (Defining Folklore) We relive unseen events from earlier this season through the eyes of a mysterious patient and a rather insufferable doctor. It's a recap of what we've learned this season, without actually 're-capping' anything! In this episode: Defining folklore and related concepts with Jeana Jorgenson. We finally find out where Digby is! The Gutenberg Parenthesis, explained by GennaRose Nethercott. Doctor Sphynkyll is in this episode. Perry & Mason talk behind-the-scenes at Digital Folklore! Guests: Jeana Jorgenson, author of Folklore 101. GennaRose Nethercott, author of Thistlefoot and researcher for the Lore podcast. Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Digby. Tucker Bettez of PodCube as Dr. Sphynkyll.

Perry is all alone in a massive Airbnb... and he's beginning to suspect that something supernaturally disturbing has been following himself and Mason. After all of the strange events this season, perhaps there is a reason for them to be nervous... Perry makes a call to Dr Francis Young, an expert in the history of religion and belief. Francis shares his knowledge of religious history, exorcism practices, the 'chicken and egg' debate around ritual and religion, fandoms, the ways in which the internet affects the generation and archival of folklore, and so much more. Francis is a wellspring of rich insight - but will it help Perry and Mason stay safe from whatever is stalking them? Guests: Dr Francis Young, historian and folklorist specializing in the history of religion and belief. He is the author, editor or co-author of 18 books.

Why is Old Tech Creepy? (Analog Horror, The Gothic & Hauntology) Mason finds a mysterious VHS copy of Candle Cove. Not having a VCR, he heads to Perry's Airbnb mansion only to discover that Perry is also VCR-less. After a short debate, they hop into the FolksWagen and head to Todd's pawn shop. And that's where things get a bit strange... In this episode: A dramatization of the Candle Cove creepypasta. A discussion about Analog Horror and how it intersects with folklore. The Carterhaugh School breaks down Gothic. The term "hauntology" as explained by Diane Rodgers. Imaginary Worlds host Eric Molinsky makes an appearance. Guests: Diane A. Rodgers PhD, Senior Lecturer in Media at Sheffield Hallam University Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman from the Carterhaugh School of Folklore & the Fantastic Eric Molinsky, creator and host of the Imaginary Worlds podcast. Alex Hera, filmmaker. Creator of the documentary, "The History of Analog Horror", and a 100 Episode webseries called "Walker Creek", which was later re-edited into a feature-length video, and was the basis of a feature-length documentary titled "Making an ARG: Walker Creek". Featuring voice acting from: Brooke Jennett of THIRTEEN as Voice #1 in the opening story. Daniel Spencer of Frankenstein's Jukebox as Voice #2 in the opening story Erin King of The Amelia Project as Voice #3 in the opening story Rich Daigle (aka Mouth Almighty) voices Todd the pawn shop owner.

Digby is at the 'vet', while Perry & Mason review a fascinating interview on LARP... After the tumultuous and ambiguous events at the end of the previous episode, Perry swings over to Mason's place again. The pair talk through that strange thing that happened with their RSS feed, some potential production decisions for the future of Digital Folklore, and also plan out their interview episode about Live Action Roleplay featuring Tara M. Clapper. There is so much more to LARP than fighting with foam weapons (although that in itself is extremely fun). It provides a safe space to engage in empathetic roleplay, a venue for self-improvement, and a community around the creation and sharing of lore and stories. Tara dishes her wisdom on the subject, and shares just how transformative and important LARP can be! And now Mason wants to find a group to play with. Guests: Tara Marie Clapper, game designer, writer, editor, digital content manager, and creator of Geek Initiative.

See for Yourself Perry picks up Mason from his house at 4:00am (yes... four in the freaking morning) for a road trip out to the gravesite of Elijah Bond - inventor of the Ouija Board. On the way, they encounter quite a few remarkable folks with stories to tell... Content Warnings: Because of dynamically inserted ads, timestamps would be inaccurate. Here's how to avoid potentially triggering content: Suffocation: in the Hoosac Tunnel story, when you hear us talk about the "Central Shaft", skip ahead ~4 minutes. Racially motivated violence: When you hear the phrase "Mini Lights", skip ahead ~3 minutes. In this episode: An opening retelling of the classic "Hook Hand Man" urban legend. A short retelling of the history of the Hoosac Tunnel, and how Mason paid it a visit. What it means to get to the origin of local legends, and exploration of how they change over time and the purposes they serve. A discussion with a professional ghost tour guide. Discussion around the importance of studying urban legends, and a retelling of the Bunny Man legend. Guests: Mark Muncy, author of the bestselling book Eerie Florida and other compilations of local legends. Paul Prater, multifaceted entertainer and ghost tour guide. Betty Aquino, a graduate student in the folklore program at George Mason University. Featuring voice acting from: GennaRose Nethercott told our opening story of the Hook Hand Man. GennaRose is a an author, poet, folklorist, and an associate producer and researcher for the highly acclaimed Lore podcast. Eric Gray was the voice of AM radio host Bart Chime. Eric creates the podcast "Dumb People with Terrible Ideas" which is a hilarious, pun-filled teardown of hubris - all delivered in his iconic voice. Mason's personal favorite episode is this one about FM radio. Ruben Basalto was the "Moon Man Dad Caller" at the beginning of the AM radio show. Ruben is a voice actor who you can hire for your next project!