Cultural Memory in a Forgetful Age
Italian brain rot and why memory matters
No thanks to
, I now know what “Italian brain rot” is (yes, it’s a real AI meme phenomenon)! Behold (apparently) the best of 2025 internet culture!
In the latest episode of The Shock Absorber podcast, Joel and I quickly move to a deeper critique of internet culture, generational shifts, and the loss of long-term creative effort in favour of instant gratification. What does the rise of AI-generated content, TikTok trends, and nostalgia-fueled memes say about our society’s priorities?
From there, we then discuss why memory matters—not just as nostalgia, but as a cornerstone of identity, faith, and flourishing communities. There are several key concepts from sociology and anthropology that I have been considering recently, including vicarious memory, collaborative remembering, and mutual participation, which help explain why intergenerational ministry is effective and how churches can preserve meaning across generations. Stories—both sacred and silly—shape who we are.
Listen along to The Shock Absorber on your favourite podcast platform or watch the conversation on the YouTube link below.