In this episode, Günseli discusses her concept of 'internet folklore,' which connects advanced technologies with cultural practices like folklore and mythmaking. The conversation delves into the ways internet culture influences society, the impact of AI on human interaction and creativity, and the emerging significance of quantum culture. Severin and Günseli also explore her collaborative AV performances and the intriguing parallels between AI and psychedelia.

GUEST

Günseli Yalcinkaya is an artist, curator and writer based in London, with a particular focus on online culture and advanced technologies. She is a Contributing Editor at Dazed and the former host of Dazed podcast, Logged On. She has appeared in talks and panels at the Architectural Association, BFI, Somerset House, Sónar+D, Serpentine Galleries, Unsound Festival, Vienna Digital Cultures and X Museum. Her essays have been published in CURA, Dazed Magazine, Spike Art, Vogue, Zora Zine and 032c, as well as in books for Aksioma, Julia Stoschek and LAS Art Foundation.

HOST

Severin Matusek is a cultural theorist and founder of co—matter, a creative studio exploring the cultural and societal impact of new technologies.

IDEAS AND PEOPLE IN CONTEXT

• Enshittification - Term coined by Cory Doctorow describing the gradual degradation of online platforms as they prioritize profit over user experience. https://doctorow.medium.com/https-pluralistic-net-2024-04-04-teach-me-how-to-shruggie-kagi-caaa88c221f2
• Race to the Bottom" - Günseli Yalcinkaya's 2025 Family Style Magazine article examining internet culture, rage bait, and brain rot. https://www.family.style/culture/internet-culture-rage-bait-brain-rot
• "MP3s made by NPCs? The rise of AI-generated muzak" - Günseli Yalcinkaya's 2023 Dazed Magazine article exploring AI-generated background music. https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/59671/1/mp3s-made-by-npcs-the-rise-of-ai-generated-muzak
• "Where Does the Puppet End and the Human Begin?" - Günseli Yalcinkaya's 2024 032c essay exploring the boundaries between human and artificial performance. https://magazine.032c.com/magazine/where-does-the-puppet-end-and-the-human-begin
• "AI in the Age of Aquarius" - Günseli Yalcinkaya's 2025 Spike Art Magazine essay examining AI culture through spiritual and cultural lenses. https://www.spikeartmagazine.com/articles/essay-internet-age-of-aquarius
• The Talk AV Show at Terraforma Festival - Audio-visual performance featuring James K and Heith with set design by Andrea Belosi. https://terraformaexo.com/eventi/parco-sempione/
• Debit - AI artist exploring synthetic media and digital culture. https://debit.media/bio/ Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst - Artist duo working experimentally with AI technologies. https://herndondryhurst.studio/
• Vienna Digital Cultures Festival, 2025 - Festival exploring intersections of digital technology, art, and society. https://viennadigitalcultures.at/

CREDITS

The Vienna Business Agency supports new companies, projects and products that develop Vienna's creative industries further. Find out more at viennabusinessagency.at.

Editorial & Production Team (in alphabetical order): Carina Dala, Severin Matusek, Elisabeth Noever-Ginthör, Alice Smith, Heinz Wolf

Theme Music by Hell Mutang.