The Church of Speedrun!

Key takeaways

Speedrunning is a playful metaphor used throughout the episode to explore internet culture, viral trends, and protest tactics.
Crowdsourcing on Reddit is an effective way to identify unknown objects, revealing the power and limitations of online collective intelligence.
Viral TikTok trends, such as teenagers storming Scientology buildings, highlight both youthful rebellion and complex questions about respect, privacy, and activism.
Constructive and respectful forms of resistance are more likely to yield meaningful change than disruptive stunts.
Humor and curiosity are central to understanding internet phenomena, but they also prompt us to reflect on their social and ethical implications.

Summary

Introduction and Theme of Speedrunning

The podcast opens with a playful discussion on the concept of speedrunning—completing video game levels or games as fast as possible—setting the theme for the episode. The hosts, Amory and Emory, explore their personal experiences with speedrunning, including a humorous debate about who should go first and an overview of their skills, such as a top 100 ranking in Oregon Trail. This humorous intro sets the tone for exploring various 'speedrun' stories.

Reddit and the Mysterious Object

A large part of the episode focuses on a Reddit story involving a mysterious object found in a child's room. The hosts discuss the process of crowd-sourcing identities for unknown objects on Reddit’s r/what is it, emphasizing how collective internet curiosity can solve such puzzles. The object, initially ambiguous and suggestive of various things from sculptures to sex toys, is eventually revealed to be a VR headset holder—highlighting both the humorous and practical aspects of internet detective work.

The Trend of Scientology Speedruns

The hosts shift to a fascinating viral TikTok trend where teenagers perform 'speedruns' by rushing into Scientology buildings to see how far they can get before being stopped. Described as chaotic and provocative acts that have gained media attention and led to police involvement, these speedruns symbolize a rebellious response to the church’s guarded and controversial nature. The discussion explores the implications of these acts, including the church’s defensive stance and the broader debates about protest, privacy, and respect for religious spaces.

Reflections on Protest and Resistance

The conversation turns philosophical about methods of resistance and protest in today’s digital age. The hosts highlight how these viral stunts, while seemingly playful, raise questions about effectiveness, respect, and the importance of engaging in ways that truly foster understanding rather than alienation. They critique harmful tactics and suggest that more constructive forms of resistance could be more impactful in the long run. The episode closes with a humorous reflection on the idea of a 'Church of Speedrun'—a metaphor for creative, positive resistance.

Show notes

Try reading this description as fast as you can: Ben and Amory zoom through two internet stories connected to speed running, including a look at a mysterious object on Reddit and an online trend directed at the Church of Scientology.

Show notes:

Found in my son’s room (Reddit)
Storming Scientology Buildings: TikTok Trend or Hate Crime? (The New York Times)
What is a ‘Scientology speedrun’ and why is social media suddenly obsessed with it? (The Guardian)