Every day, someone becomes the “main character” of the internet. The goal? Never be it.
From viral moments like Chewbacca Mom and Damn Daniel to backlash (aka getting "milkshake ducked") like BeanDad — and even artists like Chappell Roan — the internet has a way of picking one person to obsess over… and then tear apart. So what actually happens when you become the main character online?
Today we're talking about how viral fame (and infamy) works in the age of social media, how platforms like Twitter/X and TikTok amplify “main character” cycles, and how the internet turns on people so quickly. We’re joined by Taylor Lorenz, who has covered — and experienced — what it’s like to be at the center of online attention, to unpack how these cycles actually work. If you’ve ever seen someone suddenly go viral (for better or worse), this episode explains the system behind it.
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