The history of handwashing? It's way wilder than you think. Isabel is once again out of the country and/or concussed, which means Amanda is joined by her friends Caro and Andrea to talk about everyone's favorite 19th century handwashing accelerationist, Ignac Semmelweis. What does this have to do with the internet? Well, if you're going to go outside and touch grass (preferably while listening to this podcast), you're going to need to wash your hands when you come back inside. TW: medical gore, ...
Apr 10, 2024•35 min•Ep. 88
The most successful internet creator of all time is a guy named Jimmy who locks people in grocery stores for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like him or not, MrBeast is such a fascinating figure in pop culture that we have become MrBeast anthropologists. Beastly scholars. Why do people like MrBeast so much? How does MrBeast (and the prizewinners in his videos) fit into the narrative of the American Dream, and how will that be exaggerated now that he has his own TV show? Is he even happy? And m...
Mar 27, 2024•51 min•Ep. 87
In this episode, we discuss the only thing congress can agree upon: yeeting Tiktok into the sun and away from the hands of America's youth. Also, the Iditarod and how to properly gut a moose, crypto perfume (question for the audience: what do YOU think crypto smells like?), and the mandatory Kate Middleton AI photograph discussion. Never say we're not on trend. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 85
The sequel to Organizer Memes. It's throwback....Wednesday, and Organizer Memes is here talking with Amanda about memes and political organizing, three years later. Time is a flat circle. Joe Biden is running for president again (but this time, with meme merch). Speaking of meme merch, we've got a new portable hole mug. WOTC please no suing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 28, 2024•50 min•Ep. 84
In this episode: Isabel explains why she is glad she didn't win a Hugo this year (hint: there's niche community drama), Amanda gets philosophical about the Taylor Swift deepfake debacle and pisses off tech CEOs again, and all of us collectively ooh and aah at the miracle of brumation. Did we mention we have merch ? And a Patreon ? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 31, 2024•59 min•Ep. 83
In this episode, we talk about hole. The ocean (and the world cruise floating on it) is a big hole. The Stanley cup is a small hole. The tunnels under the Chabad in Brooklyn? That's a medium size hole, baby. And this podcast? Well, it's a hole for your ears. Wait, that doesn't make any sense. Too bad, you've already fallen in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 82
Happy new year, which means happy public domain day! We talk about Steamboat Willie, our favorite (and least favorite) internet moments of 2023, how to eat crabs, etc. We play two (2) whole games, like Wow if Two Truths and a Lie and the now-annual public domain game! The Isabel book club! We sliced the meme! More about Steamboat Willie: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/02/steamboat-willie-mickey-mouse-public-domain/ Find Us Online Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.i...
Jan 03, 2024•59 min•Ep. 81
In this episode: Iz is back, and the internet explodes. The worldwide cruise begins, publishing has another crisis, and the goat is eaten by birds. Some days nothing happens. Other days, everything happens. Welcome back to the two host experience. Now in apple cinnamon flavor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Dec 20, 2023•52 min•Ep. 80
In this episode: Isabel has a concussion and a cold at the same time, so Amanda does the podcast alone and has an existential crisis. While confronting her vulnerability and loneliness without her other podcasting half, Amanda tells you about Henry Kissinger death memes, weird fanfic theories, OpenAI drama, and crabs. Links Mark Yarm on Henry Kissinger memes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/05/26/kissinger-death-memes/ OpenAI and bad HP fanfic collide: https://techcrunch.com/2023/1...
Dec 06, 2023•39 min•Ep. 79
In this episode: we arrive at the conclusion that the internet is nothing if not AI and [redacted]. We are extremely sorry. We also regret to inform you that Omegle is dead, and Tumblr... Tumblr is not dead, but it's not necessarily thriving! Also, we have thoughts and opinions about Minnesota, an entity we normally have zero thoughts and opinions about. RIP Omegle: https://www.404media.co/omegle-shut-down-offline/ Omegle founder's statement: https://www.omegle.com/ What's going on with Tumblr? ...
Nov 15, 2023•55 min•Ep. 78
In this episode: Isabel has taken over, and now we are a narrative podcast about ghosts. Yes, halloween was yesterday. No, this is not a bit. Yes, this is a fully produced demo of a narrative podcast about a city on the mouth of hell and also, necromancy. Back to regular programming next episode! The voice of Emory is Andromeda, the voice of Isaac is Isabel, the voice of Annette is Bryan/Ultralord from Jimmy Neutron, and the voice of Commissioner Yarrow is Quest. Music by Joc. Writing by Isabel....
Nov 01, 2023•38 min•Ep. 77
In this episode: we are experiencing the full spectrum of human experience -- homestuck, dystopian corporate therapy, and baseball. Also, Iz explains the state of wizard fiction pre-Hugo Awards, and Amanda talks about why the internet isn't fun anymore. But you know what IS fun? Podcasts. Specifically ours. Also the Philadelphia Phillies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 19, 2023•50 min•Ep. 76
In this episode, we learn about men who don't use plates and girls who do special math. Amanda went to Vidcon and met a really famous dog, and also some famous people. Iz read a 94 page contract (aka, the results of the WGA strike). Look mom, we're finally content creators. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 04, 2023•56 min•Ep. 75
In this episode: we're on a time limit before this terrible drink melts all over Iz's desk, so start listening before it's too late! Also, celebrity auction normal experience, regular amounts of roman empire thinking, and whether eating lunch is sad. Also Techno Mechanicus, Stoner Cats NFT Securities Fraud, and HBO girls (Amanda sings). Wow! None of of these words are in the bible! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s...
Sep 20, 2023•51 min•Ep. 74
Isabel jumpscares Amanda with a clown (sorry, this is spoilers, but it’s important), Amanda experiences sports (derogatory), and we talk about all the week's hottest trending topics... You know, like Baldurs Gate 3, One Piece, and 70,000 people trapped in a mud pit. (Also, sorry about the couple of glitches in Iz’s audio. This is the clown’s fault) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 06, 2023•47 min•Ep. 73
This is definitely legal advice (but not from Iz). Taco Bell is getting sued, MrBeast is suing (and then also being sued), and we're mostly just here to talk about why Amanda has never had a Crunchwrap Supreme. Also: Love is Blind, Tiktok designer feuds, and the Jonas Brothers' second act as venture capitalists. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 72
Isabel goes to see Barbenheimer and declares Barbie a science fiction/fantasy movie. Amanda gets a podcast dungeon. Your intrepid hosts also wade into tree law and "girl dinner." I must mention again that I have a podcast dungeon now. At some points, a baby is crying in Isabel's hallway, which you can hear, because she does not have a podcast dungeon. We mention in the episode when we get into Barbenheimer spoilers -- that continues until 39:45. We also talk about the "girl dinner" trend, which ...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 71
Iz has taken over, and Amanda is so powerful that she had to be replaced by six different guests. We're talking about: sharing perpetual stew with 50 strangers in a park in Brooklyn (yes, this is internet related); reading 365 books in 365 days (bad idea); and new forms of divination (unfortunately, feet related). Thanks to Tracey, Max, David, Emily, and Allison for experiencing podcasting! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 70
It's our longawaited 69th episode, dedicated to the history of the 69 meme. But also we're on an island with our 30 closest friends, many of whom are in the room (cabin) with us today! After we enlighten you with our deep dive into 69 history, our live cabin audience will dazzle you with stories from the island, including egg drop drama, wizard LARPing, and the spooky thing Isabel saw. Find Us Online Buy our merch! https://www.wowiftrue.com/merch Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagr...
Jun 28, 2023•43 min•Ep. 69
In this episode: Amanda tries to break Snapchat's AI by showing it... objects... that increasingly look more like... an eggplant emoji. Iz explains the connection between omegaverse, Ron DeSantis, and AI writing. Honestly, this is appropriate as all hell for the leadup to episode 69, our long-awaited magnum opus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jun 07, 2023•48 min•Ep. 68
We're waiting for our own Bigolas Dickolas moment. Unfortunately, this isn't the episode for that, because Amanda talks about which Jeopardy Master showed feet, and Isabel ranks all her dnd characters by rizz. Yes, we have lost the plot. And the time war. But hey, at least we follow more than 30 women on twitter (now you have to listen for context, here's how Wow if True can still win.) Links Bigolas Dickolas: https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/11/bigolas-dickolas-time-war-booktok/ Isabel is in Best...
May 17, 2023•49 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, we're skeeting all over the place, because sometimes, everything happens everywhere all at once. By that we mean: dril vs. Elon ultimate showdown (of ultimate destiny), bluesky (aka twitter 2) vs twitter (aka twitter 1), and Amanda vs. the mortifying ordeal of meeting Hank Green. Find Us Online Buy our merch! Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowiftruepod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wowiftrue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowiftrue Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wowif...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 66
In this episode: Both hosts are in the same place! And that place is...Amanda's living room floor. Lots of reviews this week: Barbie trailer, Mario movie, Philly's new-ish conveyer belt sushi joint, and Amanda's apartment decor. Not everything has to be a fucking ordeal. Sometimes things can just be movies. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 19, 2023•41 min•Ep. 65
MSCHF has anime girl tax preparation software, Brandon Sanderson has a wizard supervillain lair, and Amanda has unsubstantiated hot takes about sports. Really. C’mon sport, let’s watch the big game. And by the big game, I mean, let’s get our taxes done by dating an anime girl. Links Anime girl dating sim tax prep ?? https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/30/anime-girl-tax-dating-sim-mschf/ Weird Brandon Sanderson story 1: https://www.wired.com/story/brandon-sanderson-is-your-god/ Weird Brandon Sanderson...
Apr 05, 2023•51 min•Ep. 64
We recommend making yourself a cheese toast before listening so that you don't get hungry for cheese toast, because we're talking about a 60-year-old retiree's cheese toast Facebook group. Also: SVB and the internet's reaction to SVB melting, FTX influencer lawsuits, and why English majors will inherit the earth. And no, we don't talk about the SAT for 30 minutes. No, seriously, our editor cut that bit. You're welcome. Links Cheese Toast: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/15/a-retirees-group-for-ch...
Mar 22, 2023•57 min•Ep. 63
In this episode, we discuss scifi magazines getting spammed by AI submissions (ironic, yes, we know), we talk with Jess (@whyjesswhyjess) about 1.2 million people seeing her naked, be-tatttoo'ed butt on twitter, and Iz's mom buys her an American Girl Doll even though she is twenty-seven. Normal Wednesday morning for Wow If True. Tattoo butt posting: https://twitter.com/WhyJessWhyJess/status/1627230364623335429 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 62
Real life archivist (and our editor!) Allison Mills tells us how we preserve the internet, prompting Amanda to have an existential crisis about memory. Then, we return to the "maybe NFTs are bad, actually" corner with an update on Metabirkins, the overpriced NFTs of the overpriced handbags, which met their fateful end in an historic court ruling. Links Metabirkins: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/hermes-gets-win-over-metabirkins-in-first-nft-trademark-trial Loewe Howl's Moving Castle: https...
Feb 22, 2023•59 min•Ep. 61
We have merch now. But also we talk about events like the shutdown of twenty-year-old forum Stripperweb, that Seinfeld AI thing, the Korean spa, Brandon Sanderson, and how Amanda is now close personal friends with Brennan Lee Mulligan. Sort of. Also how the internet is simultaneously permanent and ephemeral at the same time and that's really a mindfuck, isn't it!? Most importantly, buy our merch. And vote for Isabel in the Locus Awards! Links: MERCH!!! https://wowiftrue.com/merch/ Vote for Isabe...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 60
Well folks, there's no getting around it, this one's mostly about D&D. AKA the OGL two, sequel to OGL, 2 OGL 2 furious, dropped ten hours before we recorded and so of course we have to talk about copyright, derivative content, and how not to alienate your entire fanbase with one simple trick. Also, Shrek is there. Also, the pink sauce is back. You're welcome! Links D&D Creative Commons: https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/12/dungeons-and-dragons-ogl-wizards-of-the-coast/ Did Shrek name himsel...
Jan 25, 2023•56 min•Ep. 59
It's our first episode of 2023, and that can only mean one thing: it's time to talk about new entries to the public domain! Noted Gamesman™ Eric Silver stopped by to play some games to honor the absurd internet stories of the year, but already, the new year is just as absurd as the last. To quote the undead indie romance writer Susan Meachen, let the fun begin! Show Notes Author who faked her death: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kelseyweekman/susan-meachen-author-alleged-death-hoax Public...
Jan 11, 2023•44 min•Ep. 58
