Magic in the Air: Memes, Esoterica, and the Internet
Magic in the Air: Memes, Esoterica, and the Internet
Shira Chess. "Magic in the Air: Memes, Esoterica, and the Internet." The Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR). October 20, 2023, Philadelphia, PA.
Abstract: This paper interrogates the use of "meme magic" as a form of political activism leading up to the 2016 US election. By tracing the historical intersections between memes and esoteric thinking, I argue that the two share an intellectual history through the 20th century into the 21st century. At the same time, the entry of the term into popular vernacular came at a moment when American culture was broadly anxious about post-truth and mutable realities in politics.
Related Research
-
“Best Paper/Show Bible” at the 2025 Broadcast Education Association BEA) Festival of Media ArtsMatthew Evans won “Best Paper/Show Bible” at the 2025 Broadcast Education Association BEA) Festival of Media Arts with his show bible for his original TV series THE DEVIL’S RUST. He […]
-
Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s DeadNeil Landau’s remake of “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” (2024) was picked up by SHOUT! Studios to distribute across all digital platforms worldwide. Landau is credited as co-writer and […]