Back Issue

That Time The Internet Wasn’t A Hellscape

That Time The Internet Wasn’t A Hellscape

Back Issue - August 10, 2021 - 49:41

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to pay tribute to this thing called Beyoncé’s internet. No, not today’s digital hellscape, but the one we first fell in love with way back in ye olde days of AOL, Napster, and LiveJournal. *dial up bings and gurgles* This week, Josh and Tracy reminisce on how being online once had the potential to affirm us. How did we go from that to *gestures at the entire World Wide Web* whatever mess this is? And how can we imagine and create a better cyber world for us, by us? To help answer these questions, we’ll be joined by two people we would definitely rank in our Myspace Top 8, Bridget Todd (digital activist and host of “There Are No Girls On The Internet”) and Naj Austin (founder of Ethel’s Club and Somewhere Good).

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About The Show

Back Issue reminisces on moments in pop culture’s past that have shaped our present. Each episode brings personal reflection, incredible guests, and plenty of deep belly laughs. This season our co-pilot Tracy Clayton is taking a break, so Josh Gwynn has invited some very special guest co-hosts to share their perspective on some of the most formative stories in pop culture. We start out with not just another hair story but a conversation about the gendered politics of specific hairstyles as Josh sets out on a mission to get a silk press. We’ll also reflect on iconic award speeches, explore what our brains do on gossip, break down the backstories of Degrassi and Cheetah Girls, decide if Josh should become the next Black ex-pat, and discuss which multi-hyphenate performers are deserving of their flowers.