What is a parasocial relationship, and have you ever been in one? In this episode, Luke and Maurice invite Dimo back to the pod to define and share stories about their primary social relationships (with references to One Direction, Frank Ocean, Bob Dylan and Tyler the Creator). They break down the historical evolution of parasocial relationships–mediated by different medium forms such as radio, television, and social media–as well as the various types of parasocial relationships, including fictophilia (26:00). The group also discusses the impact of parasocial relationships in the political sphere, including its impact on Zohran Mamdani’s primary victory in the New York City mayoral race. Throughout the episode they return to the affective registers of entitlement and sincerity that influence our seeking out of parasocial relationships.
Notes and Sources:
Arthur C. Brooks, “Parasocial Relationships Are Just Imaginary Friends for Adults”
Monique Judge, “What we should leave behind: Parasocial relationships with celebrities”:
https://andscape.com/features/snoop-dogg-trump-inauguration-parasocial-relationships/
National Geographic, “What are parasocial relationships doing to our brains?”
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/parasocial-relationships-social-media
The (not so) Simple Life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WAavEUyxMg
Being Bobby Brown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4u3896mdk
Free Britney:
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