Social Sleuth Diaries

With five podcast episodes under my belt and a dynamic goal for Social Sleuth I thought it would be best to have a little recap on what I’ve been talking about, with whom, and of course some of my reflections.

As much as this podcast is a selfish excuse to meet with some great people and have insightful conversations, I’d be lying if I didn’t address my desire to share meaningful dialogue and get people thinking about some of the nerdy topics I adore. I want you to learn something or hear something that makes you think harder – not agree, not disagree, but maybe just expand your mind a bit.

With this goal, this recap is for both myself, to gauge where I’m at with achieving this goal, and for you to learn a bit more about me and what I think. After all, I am interviewing people I think have an edge in certain topics of interest – guests that are willing to come on to my very much so developing podcast, I’m not in the game to debate, challenge, or surprise my guests, instead you can find my honest thoughts… here. (this sounds more scandalous than it should, no drama, I swear)

Episode 1 Marnus | Decoding Memes, “Be Gay, Do Crime”

My first episode! Ahhh

I am so happy to have had Marnus as my first guest. A long-time friend, fellow Gemini, and self-proclaimed chronically online person was the ultimate way to kick-off Social Sleuth and attempt podcasting.

Reflecting on our episode… I want to bring this energy and fun into some of my more serious and expert interviews… perhaps I can attempt to disrupt the professional and academic monopoly on critical thinking and engagement a tad.

On a more personal note, it was interesting to compare feeds and online spaces with someone the same age as me and that grew up (at least since the 2010s) in the same area, attended the same university program as I and yet our digital worlds are shaped much differently. Not surprising but noted.

Episode 2 Aidan | Internet (Culture), "No one's ever watched us this close."

Oh Aidan. Certainly, my most popular episode yet, and listening back I understand why. I went out on a whim asking Aidan to be on my podcast… before my first episode even aired. Humbly I have to inform you that when I invited him on Social Sleuth, I had no clue this guy MEME’d. After sleuthing in preparation for our recording, I started to panic, Lectures on memes? Meme dissertations? Many published works on this emerging niche area of research? His understanding and ability to analyze memes and our digital culture amazes me and I’m so thankful Aidan could be my first formal guest – and more than that, I pulled him out of his area of expertise, and he ran with it. Quick and willing to hypothesize.

I’m seriously obsessed -> go check out this new piece, memes are aestheticized surveillance, like come on!

And although I lost my train of thought during our discussion – due to brain rot – Aidan made a great point of grounding yourself when consuming the web. Imagine the Victorian child on your shoulder, what would they think? I must echo this.

I am so happy to have this episode in my archive as it lays out a comprehensive understanding of what this stage in the digital exchange looks like – and how to make more sense of it from an outside perspective.

Episode 3 Matthew | (Mis)information, "Forbidden knowledge makes information more attractive."

Matthew Facciani was another amazing guest. This episode taught me a lot – both in its content and in my strengths and weaknesses as an interviewer.

Matthew is doing such important research AND the often-forgotten task of creating SOLUTIONS. Sorry, misinformation is not going away, and it’s not really anything new – but there are practical steps to take to decrease your susceptibility. Expanding social identity complexity and e-d-u-c-a-t-i-o-n.

Now I had a few, OMG DUH moments, like content advisories – like Matthew said these are very much ‘too little too late’. Absolutely. Why didn’t I clue into that earlier? Thank you!

And despite being prepared, I was so nervous. The imposter syndrome hit hard. But I made it, maybe you noticed, maybe you didn’t, but in the nature of this podcast and getting outside my comfort zone, we persevered. More energy, less scared.

Episode 4 My Mom | The Web, "Don't listen to the random strangers."

Mumsie! An episode I’d been looking forward to recording and simultaneously procrastinating, that in the end turned out very fun. What can I say, she raised me, the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree.

We talked about everything web related, just listen to it honestly. This is a very generous look into my life, I have no notes.

Episode 5 Sydney | BookTok Talks, "Buying books and reading books are two different hobbies”

And latest, Sydney gave me the scoop on all things Booktok – as an area of the internet I’ve only glossed over, it was so interesting to understand the power behind this community.

Understanding the advantages of the digital landscape for the literature industry – something we should aim to protect and support – was comforting. I am so grateful to have Sydney share her insights and talk about a real passion of hers.

Maybe I’ll try out some fiction fantasy.

Algorithms and content funnels shield us from so much of what is going on online – I actively seek out, hence the sleuthing name, things that the web doesn’t really want to serve me. Hey maybe you do this too. But I think it’s important to recognize what this amazing tool digital technology can be and how powerful these communications networks we call social media are showing to be. All while highlighting its challenges.

I have an exciting Episode 6 queued up that will bring us back to the beginning in terms of surveillance and the digital space, stay tuned and in the meanwhile… keep sleuthing.