We discuss the surprise success of Backrooms and what it means when a YouTube creator and a creepypasta can outperform major Hollywood franchises. We also examine Studio Ghibli's controversial restrictions on photography at Ghibli Park, and look at a recent experiment where AI models were placed in charge of a simulated society—with dramatically different results.

Episode 153 was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studios in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on 4 June 2026.

More information:
Media Mothership: https://mediamothership.au/ 
Edge Radio page: https://www.edgeradio.org.au/shows/media-mothership/ 
Video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3opBhNiZmthw64squzl9bTBOAm10LoVt 

We discuss the surprise success of Backrooms and what it means when a YouTube creator and a creepypasta can outperform major Hollywood franchises. We also examine Studio Ghibli's controversial restrictions on photography at Ghibli Park, and look at a recent experiment where AI models were placed in charge of a simulated society&mdash;with dramatically different results.
Episode 153 was recorded live at Edge Radio 99.3FM studios in Hobart Tasmania, and first aired on 4 June 2026.
More information: Media Mothership: https://mediamothership.au/&nbsp; Edge Radio page: https://www.edgeradio.org.au/shows/media-mothership/&nbsp; Video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3opBhNiZmthw64squzl9bTBOAm10LoVt&nbsp;

Media Mothership explores how media can shape our understanding of the world around us through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and forensic fans of movies, TV shows, video games etc. Host Craig Norris discusses the latest news, absurdities and trends of modern media and culture.
We broadcast live out of Edge Radio studios, Hobart, Tasmania every Thurs 4-5pm (AEST).

Listen live on 99.3FM (Hobart), or streaming/on-demand at YouTube, Twitch, and Edge Radio. Or via your podcast service of choice.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Discord, ResearchGate, Twitter.

Find out more here: www.mediamothership.au

<a href="https://mediamothership.au⁠⁠">Media Mothership</a> explores how media can shape our understanding of the world around us through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and forensic fans of movies, TV shows, video games etc. Host Craig Norris discusses the latest news, absurdities and trends of modern media and culture. We broadcast live out of <a href="https://www.edgeradio.org.au/shows/media-mothership/⁠⁠⁠">Edge Radio studios</a>, Hobart, Tasmania every Thurs 4-5pm (AEST).
Listen live on 99.3FM (Hobart), or streaming/on-demand at <a href="⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFpGvogfExOx1HN4F4fZDoQ⁠⁠⁠">YouTube</a>, <a href="⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/mediamothership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠%20Facebook%20⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fb.me/MediaTackle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠">Twitch,</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.edgeradio.org.au/shows/media-mothership/⁠⁠⁠">Edge Radio</a>. Or via your podcast service of choice.
Follow us on <a href="⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/media_mothership/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://fb.me/MediaTackle">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mediamothership?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">TikTok</a>, <a href="⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/QvdT39EDMV⁠⁠⁠">Discord</a>, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Craig-Norris">ResearchGate</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CraigJNorris">Twitter</a>.
Find out more&nbsp;<a href="https://mediamothership.au⁠⁠">here: www.mediamothership.au</a>

Media Mothership EDGE

Media Mothership explores how media can shape our understanding of the world through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and forensic fans of movies, TV shows, video games, etc. Host Dr Craig Norris discusses the latest news, absurdities and trends in modern media and culture.

Media Mothership explores how media can shape our understanding of the world through interviews and discussions with content makers, critical thinkers and forensic fans of movies, TV shows, video games, etc. Host Dr Craig Norris discusses the latest news, absurdities and trends in modern media and culture.