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
-
Go Abroad: Cultural Exchange Programs for Journalism StudentsRoberta Fiorito (Ph.D. student) and Kyser Lough have been invited to participate in a panel titled “Go Abroad: Cultural Exchange Programs for Journalism Students” at AEJMC 2026 in New Orleans. The teaching panel […]
-
Anatomy of Governance: An Inquiry into the Hidden Foundation of Crisis ManagementYan Jin (Chair). “Anatomy of Governance: An Inquiry into the Hidden Foundation of Crisis Management.” Accepted for Panel Session at BledCom (The 33rd International Public Relations Research Symposium), June 26-27, 2026, […]