Previously: “The Final Livestream of phanfan47.”
When we talk about memory, we could be talking a few different things, depending on the context: Digital memory — as in, file storage on devices like computers, smartphones, and, in years gone by, MP3 players (RIP, my circa-2005 iPod Classic); and human memory — that is, our sense of our own past and history. In the creepypasta “IPodders.net,” it initially sounds like we’re talking about one kind of memory… but as the story unspools, it becomes clear that we might be talking about the other kind, too.
Because here’s the thing with memory: It can be rewritten — no matter which kind you’re talking about.
[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]
Published to the Creepypasta Wikia in early October of 2022 by user Aphibacus192000, “IPodders.net” largely takes the form of a recreated internet forum thread attempting to troubleshoot an issue with a used iPod. In that sense, it’s similar in some ways to classic creepypastas like Kris Straub’s “Candle Cove” — although “IPodders.net” also has a bit of a frame outside the forum thread, as well. This frame ties things up a little more neatly than some readers might prefer them to be… but it also extends the universe of the story and deepens the narrative.
Some things, though, never change: Buying or otherwise acquiring pre-owned stuff can be great; just… make sure you know where the item in question came from before you bring it into your home.
Just in case.
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Before the internet was neatly organized with SEO and pretty UIs, you would have to trudge through vast swamps of forum posts, an endless supply of custom geocities, and visually offensive html to find the answers to your desperate questions. And it was honestly the freaking best. The vague sense of danger, the raw thrill of uncharted exploration, and the shaky camaraderie you’d find with other weirdos on that “messy” internet… just doesn’t exist nowadays.
Or, at least… that’s what I thought. Until I actually found a place like that. And by accident, too. And while I’m glad that the “messy” internet still exists somewhere today, what I found there brought me misery instead of satisfaction.
I was googling an issue I was having with my iPod (yes, I still actively use an iPod in 2022), and I stumbled onto a barely active forum for mp3 player enthusiasts called “ipodders.net”. While I don’t think I found the answer to my issue, what I did find was infinitely more bizarre.
The following is my best attempt to copy/paste an entire thread that had the subject: “Weird ipod virus? How to fix??” The thread itself was last updated 3 years ago, and ends kinda abruptly… If anybody has any info on what happened to the user behind Tom_Waits_For_No_Man, please let me know. I’m curious. Anyway, here is the thread:
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Follow The Ghost In My Machine on Twitter @GhostMachine13 and on Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine. And for more games, don’t forget to check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available now from Chronicle Books!
[Photo via jamesmarkosborne/Pixabay]
