Join teenage digital philosopher Eli Mercer as he explores one of the internet's most chilling case studies: how a 2009 Photoshop contest on Something Awful forums accidentally created a modern myth so powerful it inspired real-world violence. This deep dive examines the birth of Slender Man, the psychology of collaborative online storytelling, and the tragic 2014 Wisconsin stabbing case where two twelve-year-old girls attacked their friend to prove themselves to a fictional entity. Eli unpacks how internet mythology blurs the line between fiction and reality, the responsibility of digital storytellers, and what happens when consensual hallucinations escape their virtual boundaries. From creepypasta culture to courtroom testimony, this episode asks urgent questions about the power of viral ideas in our hyperconnected world and proves that the internet can invent gods powerful enough to walk off the screen and into our lives. It's a fascinating, unsettling exploration of digital folklore, mental health, and the collapse of truth in the age of collaborative mythmaking. Want more thought-provoking deep dives into internet mysteries, digital culture, and the stories that shape our online world? Discover a full library of engaging podcasts that will challenge how you think about technology, media, and modern mythology at https://www.quietperiodplease.com/ - where every episode takes you deeper into the stories behind the stories.
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