Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth Episode #66 - Teaching Amanda Internet Lore

Host/Authors: Shayne Topp (Shane), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda), and Guest Trevor
Release Date: October 14, 2024
Duration: Approximately 67 minutes

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome (01:30 - 05:00)

The episode kicks off with Shane welcoming listeners:

Shane (01:30): "Hey, welcome to Smosh Mouth. I'm Shane."

Amanda introduces herself alongside Shane and welcomes their special guest, Trevor:

Amanda (01:30): "And I'm Amanda. What's up? We have a very special guest with us, Trevor."

Shane reminisces about a past episode where Amanda was unaware of the "Harambe" meme, dubbing her the "offline queen of the Internet." This sets the stage for the episode's primary focus: educating Amanda on significant Internet lore.

2. Amanda's Trip to Greece with Her Sisters (03:04 - 08:40)

Amanda shares her recent experience traveling to Greece with her three sisters, orchestrated by their mother. The trip was significant as it was the first time the sisters traveled together without partners or children.

Amanda (03:20): "No partners, no kids, no anyone. Just five women."

She describes the challenges of traveling with multiple personalities and the prolonged airplane journey:

Amanda (03:55): "The airplane is, like, 12 hours."

Despite initial anxieties, Amanda praises her sisters for being incredible companions. A recurring challenge during the trip was choosing dinner, highlighting the classic sibling dynamics of differing tastes and preferences.

Amanda (04:19): "Choosing dinner at night was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

She delves into the cultural aspects of Greece, noting the deep-rooted presence of Greek mythology in everyday life and the local traditions they encountered, such as shepherding and olive oil harvesting.

Amanda (07:56): "Extra virgin olive oil should be green. And it should be spicy."

Amanda also recounts humorous and memorable incidents, including her younger sister's popularity in Naxos and an unforgettable experience at a local bar where the floor was literally set on fire during dances.

3. Introduction to Internet School (20:03 - 26:44)

Shane introduces the concept of "Internet School," a segment dedicated to educating Amanda about pivotal Internet events and memes she might have missed.

Shane (20:03): "Internet University. Duluth. Iud."

Amanda expresses enthusiasm yet admits to being a visual learner, sometimes missing out on information unless presented visually.

Amanda (20:48): "I will say that is very fun."

Shane begins listing various Internet phenomena to gauge Amanda's familiarity, setting up an interactive exploration of Internet culture.

4. Exploring Internet Memes and Events (26:44 - 52:27)

a. Milkshake Duck (26:44 - 33:45)

Shane explains the "Milkshake Duck" meme, originating from a 2016 tweet by Pixelated Boat. The term describes how viral sensations are quickly canceled once negative information surfaces.

Shane (26:59): "The whole idea is that whenever someone becomes a viral sensation, they are basically canceled."

They discuss notable examples, including Ken Bone and the "Zoom Cat Lawyer," illustrating how sudden fame can unravel personal histories.

Shane (27:59): "Ken Bone became instantly famous... people discovered his Reddit history."

Amanda acknowledges some of the examples, while Trevor adds humor by impersonating the "Zoom Cat Lawyer."

b. Trevor's D&D Campaign (16:41 - 18:03)

Trevor briefly shares his involvement in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign with Mythical, highlighting collaboration with Rhett and Link.

Trevor (16:41): "I'm playing a bard, and his name is Plen Gowell."

c. Damn Daniel and Other Memes (23:52 - 26:27)

Shane quizzes Amanda on various memes like "Salt Bae," "Damn Daniel," and "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared," noting which ones Amanda is familiar with and expressing excitement about introducing her to new ones.

Shane (21:35): "Have you ever heard of Bronies?"

d. Bean Dad (42:37 - 52:27)

One of the most detailed discussions revolves around the "Bean Dad" phenomenon. Shane narrates a Twitter thread by John Roderick, where he shares an overly dramatic and pedantic story about teaching his daughter to use a can opener. The narrative's meticulous and exaggerated nature led to widespread ridicule, with Amanda and Trevor expressing frustration over the portrayal.

Shane (45:00): "It was the whole point to be like, hey, let me teach you how to do this."

They critique the way Shane portrays the father's over-the-top storytelling, emphasizing how it backfired, leading to his "cancelation" without prior notoriety.

Amanda (50:21): "I hate this guy so much."

e. Kony 2012 (56:39 - 64:47)

Trevor provides a summary of the "Kony 2012" campaign, originally intended to make Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony famous to facilitate his arrest. However, the campaign faced backlash due to misinformation and questionable fundraising practices.

Shane (57:20): "It was a thing that really nobody was against."

They discuss the effectiveness and ethical implications of viral campaigns, questioning the actual impact and transparency of funds raised.

Shane (61:32): "Everyone can agree that child soldiers are bad. But where did the money go?"

f. Other Internet Phenomena

Additional mentions include "Dashcon," "Salad Fingers," "Loss," and the quirky antics of "Mudang," a baby hippo causing mischief at the zoo, adding humor to the conversation.

Amanda (66:11): "So he's in a zoo?"

5. The Impact of Sudden Internet Fame (Throughout Discussions)

A recurring theme is the double-edged sword of viral fame. While it can bring attention and success, it often comes with unforeseen negative consequences, including personal invasions of privacy, mental health strains, and the challenge of managing newfound popularity.

Shane (40:10): "He became the biggest celebrity... he eventually had to drop out of school and do homeschooling because it was so insane."

Amanda and Trevor reflect on the undesirable aspects of viral fame, expressing a desire to avoid such scenarios.

Amanda (41:31): "This is insane."

6. Conclusion and Closing Remarks (66:52 - 67:25)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts hint at continuing their "Internet School" in future episodes, acknowledging they didn't cover all planned topics like "Dashcon" and "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared." They reaffirm their camaraderie with Trevor and express excitement for future discussions.

Shane (67:19): "Thanks, Trevor, for joining us, as always."

Trevor (67:21): "Thank you for having me. This is awesome. I love this shit."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Sudden Fame and Privacy Invasion:

  Shane (40:10): "He became the biggest celebrity... he eventually had to drop out of school and do homeschooling because it was so insane."

• On the Absurdity of Bean Dad's Story:

  Shane (45:00): "It was the whole point to be like, hey, let me teach you how to do this."

  Amanda (50:21): "I hate this guy so much."

• On the Milkshake Duck Phenomenon:

  Shane (26:59): "The whole idea is that whenever someone becomes a viral sensation, they are basically canceled."

• On Amanda's Greece Trip Challenges:

  Amanda (04:19): "Choosing dinner at night was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

Key Takeaways

• Educating the Uninitiated: The primary goal was to bring Amanda up to speed with significant Internet events and memes she was unaware of, highlighting the vastness and rapid evolution of online culture.

• Consequences of Viral Fame: Through examples like "Milkshake Duck" and "Bean Dad," the podcast delves into the unpredictability and potential pitfalls of achieving sudden Internet fame.

• Humor and Camaraderie: The hosts maintain a light-hearted and humorous tone throughout, balancing discussions on serious topics with playful banter and personal anecdotes.

• Reflection on Modern Media: The episode underscores the powerful influence of social media in shaping narratives and individual lives, often without considering the long-term implications.

This episode serves as an insightful and entertaining exploration of Internet culture, emphasizing the importance of understanding and navigating the complexities of viral phenomena.