In this episode of The Intersect I am joined by Aidan Walker -- a writer, internet culture researcher and the creator of the substack How to Do Things with Memes -- to discuss how culture isn’t created for us but by us.
Aidan studies where viral content comes from, how it spreads and what it reveals about our world — a world in which we’re all producers. It’s not just creators, influencers, or journalists who determine what content is important and shapes our culture but the commenters, the reposters, and the larger online community.
But what happens when our feed is filled with AI-generated content? Listen to my conversation with Aidan to learn more.
Topics Covered:
- The origins and implications of "slop capitalism" in the digital content economy
- The algorithmic shift from meaningful engagement to content saturation
- The role of Substack, TikTok, and digital community in reclaiming thoughtful content
- Why platforms prefer “slop” over quality: an incentive structure driven by control, not just profit
- How smartphones became the default middleman for all modern experiences—dating, jobs, entertainment
- How cultural expression is increasingly limited to what algorithms can track, monetize, and approve
- The power of reframing internet users from passive consumers to active producers
- Why honoring internet culture as serious, collaborative creative work is vital for our future
About Aidan Walker:
Aidan Walker is a writer and meme researcher who posts on TikTok and YouTube under the handle @aidanetcetera. He also writes the Substack newsletter How To Do Things With Memes.
Some of Aidan Walker’s recent work on Slop, and other reference material:
The unstoppable rise of Chubby: Why TikTok's AI-generated cat could be the future of the internet
How Spammers and Scammers Leverage AI-Generated Images on Facebook for Audience Growth
Follow Aidan Walker on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube at @aidan.etcetera
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