---
title: "Special Episode: ‘Fake Lore, Dark Memes’, with Joseph Matheny"
url: "https://josephmatheny.com/2017/03/11/special-episode-fake-lore-dark-memes-with-joe-matheny/"
language: "en-US"
updated: "2020-05-17T19:07:14+00:00"
---

# Special Episode: ‘Fake Lore, Dark Memes’, with Joseph Matheny

*If you enjoy STEAL THIS SHOW, think about [becoming a patron](http://patreon.com/stealthisshow). Our [Patreon campaign](https://patreon.com/stealthisshow)*keeps us free and independent – and keeps shows coming your way!

 [http://media.blubrry.com/stealthisshow/content.blubrry.com/stealthisshow/Special\_Episode\_\_Fakelore\_and\_Dark\_Memes\_-\_Joe\_Matheny\_Pt\_2.mp3](http://media.blubrry.com/stealthisshow/content.blubrry.com/stealthisshow/Special_Episode__Fakelore_and_Dark_Memes_-_Joe_Matheny_Pt_2.mp3)

This episode is part two of our interview with [Joe Matheny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Matheny). Part one, [The Digital Underground](http://stealthisshow.com/s02e07/), covered Joe’s experiences running The Grey Lodge, an early, underground private torrent tracker used by millions of people per month. Part two covers Joe’s groundbreaking [ARG](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_reality_game) & literary work, [Ong’s Hat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ong's_Hat), and its place in early internet culture, before we veer off into a discussion about how the ‘fakelore’ methods Joe used in the development of that work connect to the meme wars of today and the increasing political importance of memes (e.g. Kek, the ‘alt-right’ appropriation of Pepe The Frog.) We also discuss the very improbable connection (it really is) between Joe and Jamie, and how Joe became a patron of the show himself; PLUS, the potential for Kodi addons as a distribution point for indie creators.

**Original URL**: [https://stealthisshow.com/fake-lore-dark-memes-with-joe-matheny/](https://stealthisshow.com/fake-lore-dark-memes-with-joe-matheny/)

**[Parts 1 & 2 also available from Archive.org](https://archive.org/details/S02E07TheDigitalUndergroundWithJosephMatheny)**

A lockfile with all the links mentioned in this episode is coming up for Patrons. Enjoy!

**Showrunner & Host** [Jamie King](mailto:jamie@stealthisshow.com) | **Editor** [Riley Byrne](mailto:ripbyrne@gmail.com)
 **Original Music** [David Triana](mailto:davidrp8@gmail.com) | **Web Production** Eric Barch

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**Sponsored** by [Private Internet Access](http://privateinternetaccess.com/) & [Premiumize](https://www.premiumize.me/sts)

Executive Producers: [Mark Zapalac](http://twitter.com/mark_zapalac), [Eric Barch](https://twitter.com/ericbarch).

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