Wow If True is your one-stop internet culture shop, explaining how what’s happening online shapes the real world. And we’re the internet experts and real-life besties to unravel it: tech culture journalist Amanda Silberling and science fiction author slash attorney Isabel J. Kim, Esq. More importantly, we’re the only podcast that will mention Neopets and horizontal mergers in the same episode. New episode every other Wednesday.
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None of this episode is legal advice. We're joined by IP attorney Sam Doesntwantrealnameincluded, and we discuss the legality of stealing Scarlett Johannson's voice for your AI, or if she can sue you for one billion dollars (trick question: its always legal to sue in America!). Also, listener questions about copyrighting the internet, answered with…
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So what is the point of any technology? That's right. To more accurately simulate anime girls. We talk about the relationship between LLMs (large language models), anime girls, and pornography. Also, Iz forces her boyfriend to run jailbroken LLMs to test out ERP (erotic roleplay) prompts.
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We're back from our break, more powerful than ever, and maybe even strong enough to talk about anonymous social media and whether it's good or bad (or, perhaps, it's not that simple). Amanda writes a book report, Iz grades a book report, we both reminisce about being anonymous teenagers on the internet. Also: oh, hey YikYak, we thought you were dea…
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Wow If True is your one-stop internet culture shop, explaining how what’s happening online shapes the real world. And we’re the internet experts and real-life besties to unravel it: tech culture journalist Amanda Silberling and science fiction author slash attorney Isabel J. Kim, Esq. More importantly, we’re the only podcast that will mention Neope…
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In this episode: Iz finally puts her law degree to good use and explains the complaint that the Department of Justice filed against Ticketmaster and Live Nation regarding their many, many antitrust oopsies (This is not the technical term). Also, PBJ metaphors, DND podcast liveshow discussion, and EBITDA, but only conceptually.…
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In this episode: We discuss "mouth biohacking" and all the fun things (rationalism, experimental mouth technologies and silicon valley, Amanda's beautiful mouth) that go along with it.
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In this episode: Our luxury fashion correspondent (and half of our editing team), Allison Mills, is back to talk with us about Erewhon. Why are are talking about a grocery store chain from California? Because they sell 32 dollar ice and routinely go viral on social media (mostly because of the 18 dollar smoothies). Also, Morgan Sung joins us as our…
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Isabel got a seven figure book deal and got the book optioned, but she continues to threaten to kill people on our podcast (especially the kid in the Omelas hole). No, this is not a bit. Iz is god's favorite princess, and Amanda can run a mile without stopping. Links Isabel's book deal announcement! The story about killing the kid in the Omelas hol…
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The history of handwashing? It's way wilder than you think. Isabel is once again out of the country and/or concussed, which means Amanda is joined by her friends Caro and Andrea to talk about everyone's favorite 19th century handwashing accelerationist, Ignac Semmelweis. What does this have to do with the internet? Well, if you're going to go outsi…
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The most successful internet creator of all time is a guy named Jimmy who locks people in grocery stores for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like him or not, MrBeast is such a fascinating figure in pop culture that we have become MrBeast anthropologists. Beastly scholars. Why do people like MrBeast so much? How does MrBeast (and the prizewinners …
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In this episode, we discuss the only thing congress can agree upon: yeeting Tiktok into the sun and away from the hands of America's youth. Also, the Iditarod and how to properly gut a moose, crypto perfume (question for the audience: what do YOU think crypto smells like?), and the mandatory Kate Middleton AI photograph discussion. Never say we're …
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84: Marianne Williamson Beef (ft. Organizer Memes)
50:12
50:12
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The sequel to Organizer Memes. It's throwback....Wednesday, and Organizer Memes is here talking with Amanda about memes and political organizing, three years later. Time is a flat circle. Joe Biden is running for president again (but this time, with meme merch). Speaking of meme merch, we've got a new portable hole mug. WOTC please no suing.…
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In this episode: Isabel explains why she is glad she didn't win a Hugo this year (hint: there's niche community drama), Amanda gets philosophical about the Taylor Swift deepfake debacle and pisses off tech CEOs again, and all of us collectively ooh and aah at the miracle of brumation. Did we mention we have merch? And a Patreon?…
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In this episode, we talk about hole. The ocean (and the world cruise floating on it) is a big hole. The Stanley cup is a small hole. The tunnels under the Chabad in Brooklyn? That's a medium size hole, baby. And this podcast? Well, it's a hole for your ears. Wait, that doesn't make any sense. Too bad, you've already fallen in.…
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Happy new year, which means happy public domain day! We talk about Steamboat Willie, our favorite (and least favorite) internet moments of 2023, how to eat crabs, etc. We play two (2) whole games, like Wow if Two Truths and a Lie and the now-annual public domain game! The Isabel book club! We sliced the meme! More about Steamboat Willie: https://te…
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In this episode: Iz is back, and the internet explodes. The worldwide cruise begins, publishing has another crisis, and the goat is eaten by birds. Some days nothing happens. Other days, everything happens. Welcome back to the two host experience. Now in apple cinnamon flavor.
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In this episode: Isabel has a concussion and a cold at the same time, so Amanda does the podcast alone and has an existential crisis. While confronting her vulnerability and loneliness without her other podcasting half, Amanda tells you about Henry Kissinger death memes, weird fanfic theories, OpenAI drama, and crabs. Links Mark Yarm on Henry Kissi…
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In this episode: we arrive at the conclusion that the internet is nothing if not AI and [redacted]. We are extremely sorry. We also regret to inform you that Omegle is dead, and Tumblr... Tumblr is not dead, but it's not necessarily thriving! Also, we have thoughts and opinions about Minnesota, an entity we normally have zero thoughts and opinions …
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In this episode: Isabel has taken over, and now we are a narrative podcast about ghosts. Yes, halloween was yesterday. No, this is not a bit. Yes, this is a fully produced demo of a narrative podcast about a city on the mouth of hell and also, necromancy. Back to regular programming next episode! The voice of Emory is Andromeda, the voice of Isaac …
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In this episode: we are experiencing the full spectrum of human experience -- homestuck, dystopian corporate therapy, and baseball. Also, Iz explains the state of wizard fiction pre-Hugo Awards, and Amanda talks about why the internet isn't fun anymore. But you know what IS fun? Podcasts. Specifically ours. Also the Philadelphia Phillies.…
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In this episode, we learn about men who don't use plates and girls who do special math. Amanda went to Vidcon and met a really famous dog, and also some famous people. Iz read a 94 page contract (aka, the results of the WGA strike). Look mom, we're finally content creators.
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In this episode: we're on a time limit before this terrible drink melts all over Iz's desk, so start listening before it's too late! Also, celebrity auction normal experience, regular amounts of roman empire thinking, and whether eating lunch is sad. Also Techno Mechanicus, Stoner Cats NFT Securities Fraud, and HBO girls (Amanda sings). Wow! None o…
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Isabel jumpscares Amanda with a clown (sorry, this is spoilers, but it’s important), Amanda experiences sports (derogatory), and we talk about all the week's hottest trending topics... You know, like Baldurs Gate 3, One Piece, and 70,000 people trapped in a mud pit. (Also, sorry about the couple of glitches in Iz’s audio. This is the clown’s fault)…
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This is definitely legal advice (but not from Iz). Taco Bell is getting sued, MrBeast is suing (and then also being sued), and we're mostly just here to talk about why Amanda has never had a Crunchwrap Supreme. Also: Love is Blind, Tiktok designer feuds, and the Jonas Brothers' second act as venture capitalists.…
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Isabel goes to see Barbenheimer and declares Barbie a science fiction/fantasy movie. Amanda gets a podcast dungeon. Your intrepid hosts also wade into tree law and "girl dinner." I must mention again that I have a podcast dungeon now. At some points, a baby is crying in Isabel's hallway, which you can hear, because she does not have a podcast dunge…
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Iz has taken over, and Amanda is so powerful that she had to be replaced by six different guests. We're talking about: sharing perpetual stew with 50 strangers in a park in Brooklyn (yes, this is internet related); reading 365 books in 365 days (bad idea); and new forms of divination (unfortunately, feet related). Thanks to Tracey, Max, David, Emil…
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It's our longawaited 69th episode, dedicated to the history of the 69 meme. But also we're on an island with our 30 closest friends, many of whom are in the room (cabin) with us today! After we enlighten you with our deep dive into 69 history, our live cabin audience will dazzle you with stories from the island, including egg drop drama, wizard LAR…
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In this episode: Amanda tries to break Snapchat's AI by showing it... objects... that increasingly look more like... an eggplant emoji. Iz explains the connection between omegaverse, Ron DeSantis, and AI writing. Honestly, this is appropriate as all hell for the leadup to episode 69, our long-awaited magnum opus.…
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We're waiting for our own Bigolas Dickolas moment. Unfortunately, this isn't the episode for that, because Amanda talks about which Jeopardy Master showed feet, and Isabel ranks all her dnd characters by rizz. Yes, we have lost the plot. And the time war. But hey, at least we follow more than 30 women on twitter (now you have to listen for context,…
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In this episode, we're skeeting all over the place, because sometimes, everything happens everywhere all at once. By that we mean: dril vs. Elon ultimate showdown (of ultimate destiny), bluesky (aka twitter 2) vs twitter (aka twitter 1), and Amanda vs. the mortifying ordeal of meeting Hank Green. Find Us Online Buy our merch! Twitter: https://twitt…
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In this episode: Both hosts are in the same place! And that place is...Amanda's living room floor. Lots of reviews this week: Barbie trailer, Mario movie, Philly's new-ish conveyer belt sushi joint, and Amanda's apartment decor. Not everything has to be a fucking ordeal. Sometimes things can just be movies.…
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MSCHF has anime girl tax preparation software, Brandon Sanderson has a wizard supervillain lair, and Amanda has unsubstantiated hot takes about sports. Really. C’mon sport, let’s watch the big game. And by the big game, I mean, let’s get our taxes done by dating an anime girl. Links Anime girl dating sim tax prep ?? https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/3…
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We recommend making yourself a cheese toast before listening so that you don't get hungry for cheese toast, because we're talking about a 60-year-old retiree's cheese toast Facebook group. Also: SVB and the internet's reaction to SVB melting, FTX influencer lawsuits, and why English majors will inherit the earth. And no, we don't talk about the SAT…
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In this episode, we discuss scifi magazines getting spammed by AI submissions (ironic, yes, we know), we talk with Jess (@whyjesswhyjess) about 1.2 million people seeing her naked, be-tatttoo'ed butt on twitter, and Iz's mom buys her an American Girl Doll even though she is twenty-seven. Normal Wednesday morning for Wow If True. Tattoo butt posting…
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61: Digital Archives & Metabirkins (ft. Allison Mills)
59:13
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Real life archivist (and our editor!) Allison Mills tells us how we preserve the internet, prompting Amanda to have an existential crisis about memory. Then, we return to the "maybe NFTs are bad, actually" corner with an update on Metabirkins, the overpriced NFTs of the overpriced handbags, which met their fateful end in an historic court ruling. L…
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We have merch now. But also we talk about events like the shutdown of twenty-year-old forum Stripperweb, that Seinfeld AI thing, the Korean spa, Brandon Sanderson, and how Amanda is now close personal friends with Brennan Lee Mulligan. Sort of. Also how the internet is simultaneously permanent and ephemeral at the same time and that's really a mind…
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Well folks, there's no getting around it, this one's mostly about D&D. AKA the OGL two, sequel to OGL, 2 OGL 2 furious, dropped ten hours before we recorded and so of course we have to talk about copyright, derivative content, and how not to alienate your entire fanbase with one simple trick. Also, Shrek is there. Also, the pink sauce is back. You'…
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58: Wow if Two Truths and a Lie (ft. Eric Silver)
44:09
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It's our first episode of 2023, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to talk about new entries to the public domain! Noted Gamesman™ Eric Silver stopped by to play some games to honor the absurd internet stories of the year, but already, the new year is just as absurd as the last. To quote the undead indie romance writer Susan Meachen, let t…
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This week, ChatGPT and Lensa AI each took over the internet, which begs the question: why is the AI always so horny? Amanda and Isabel go back and forth between talking about grief and the social implications of AI art way too quickly. Isabel rode on a bike cab blasting Numa Numa through New York City. Amanda went to a live comedy show based on a m…
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In this special episode, Isabel and Amanda discuss the greatest mafia movie ever made.By Isabel J. Kim, Esq. & Amanda Silberling
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In this episode, we talk to Alex Cohen AKA tiny snek comics AKA the mastermind behind being rat verified on twitter, which is superior to regular verified, because you don’t pay $8 and you also get a rat. But hey, if you’re really thirsting for that blue checkmark, tumblr’s got you covered—they’ll give you two, and it even comes with crabs. Also a …
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It happened: Elon Musk ordered that thing from Amazon late at night and then it arrived at his home and it wasn't what he expected but it was too late to return it. In other words, he owns Twitter now, but we'd rather not talk about the implications of that. Instead, let's talk about the memes spawned from this historic transaction. Also, we talk a…
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Everyone in this episode has experienced yoga, and now they're experiencing Mario. We do a full legal analysis on the legality of editing the Mario movie to remove Chris Pratt, talk about how to deal with getting recognized in real life, and iz explains which situations necessitate the removal of a wizard. Also, Amanda has a great Mario voice - if …
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In this episode: everyone is very regular on the internet! Just kidding. Wifeguy stocks tank. Amanda succeeds in our original goal of going viral. Iz gets asked about weed while wearing a blazer at an MCR concert. Look, it's been a week. We're all doing our best, but at least our best isn't delivering a resume cake to the Nike office. Links Isabel'…
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You have questions, we have answers. We talk about how the pod is going, mundane super powers, influencer animals, internet art, good books, and whether we would fuck, marry or kill Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. You know, normal things. Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowif…
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In this first-ever live episode of Wow if True, our hosts go on vacation to an island haunted by the ghosts of 40 Boy Scouts (?). After remaining mostly offline for a week, we receive updates from the news of the real world -- walrus hitmen, Argentinian presidential candidate crypto schemes, goth tractor girls having a yeehaw summer -- with two doz…
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Isabel saw the Minions movie. Amanda became obsessed with Minion linguistics. Stephen King testified in court. Jennette McCurdy talked about trauma. The internet thought she talked about Ariana Grande. 26 of Isabels closest friends rented an island. Maybe the real minions were the friends we made along the way. This episodes was edited by David New…
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This week, one of our hosts is finally, officially a lawyer! And the other knows too much about the pink sauce scandal. What's the pink sauce, you might ask? That's a great question. We'd also love to know what's in it. Also, Big Publishing™ is trying to sue the Internet Archive, and our Actual Lawyer™ tells us why we should care. Finally, we are e…
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Are the brands okay? Is anyone ever okay? Is RadioShack, specifically, okay? Is Elon pulling out (of Twitter, we mean, get your head out of the gutter)? Who are the Gentleminions? Did Hank Green steal a lemur? And most importantly: what did Amanda eat at VidCon? Links Uhhh, a lot more happened in the Ongoing Musk Saga after we recorded this, but he…
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Amanda McLoughlin (CEO of Multitude Productions) says that everything she knows about running a business, she learned in fandom... because believe it or not, the same skills that help you organize a fic exchange also help you run an independent podcasting collective! This one's for you, fanfic enthusiasts and former britpickers. Links Amanda McLoug…
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