The Return of Babylonokia - The Internet Phenomenon as a Podcast

Art-Replik, Oberhofen am Irrsee, Austria - October 2024

After nearly a decade of intrigue and fascination, the internet phenomenon surrounding the so-called "800-year-old mobile phone" resurfaces, this time in a brand-new podcast format. The viral sensation, originally sparked by the mysterious Babylonokia artwork, is now available as a podcast that dives deep into how the myth took the world by storm.

Listeners can now hear the story directly on the English Wikipedia page for Babylonokia, where an audio file accompanies the article, recounting the key moments that catapulted this piece of art into a global conversation about ancient technology, UFOs, and viral misinformation.

The podcast explores how individuals like UFO expert Daniel Muñoz played pivotal roles in misidentifying the artwork as an ancient alien artifact, and how media algorithms accelerated its rapid spread across the globe. In honor of the 10-year anniversary, the podcast also highlights the 43 most significant websites that reported on the story, discussing how digital platforms helped foster the phenomenon.

As always, the bizarre story of Babylonokia invites listeners to reflect on what they see and hear on the internet-reminding us of the human tendency to seek meaning in the unbelievable and the powerful role of skepticism in navigating today's information landscape.

So, next time you come across a sensational story online, remember the lesson of Babylonokia: question everything, think critically, and you might just discover something even more interesting hidden beneath the surface.

For more information, visit our website or tune in to the podcast via the Babylonokia Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonokia
or our YouTube-Podcast: https://youtu.be/dBmXachsrfg?si=L686xfUF3nMo-b0G

Art-Replik
4894 Oberhofen
Austria, European Union

Babylonokia is a thought-provoking art project conceptualized by Austrian artist Karl Weingärtner. Created in 2012, it serves as both a critique and reflection of the evolution of communication technology. The artwork reimagines a modern mobile phone in the form of an ancient clay tablet, inscribed with Old Persian cuneiform script. This unique fusion of ancient and modern symbolism represents the continuity of information transmission across civilizations.

The Babylonokia project gained international fame in 2015, when it became the subject of a viral internet phenomenon. Misinterpreted by some media outlets and conspiracy theorists, the artwork was mistakenly identified as an 800-year-old mobile phone, supposedly evidence of advanced ancient technology or extraterrestrial influence. This misunderstanding contributed to its widespread notoriety, transforming it into a subject of fascination and intrigue for many.

Beyond the initial viral fame, Babylonokia continues to be a symbol of how modern society interacts with and sometimes distorts historical narratives through the lens of digital media. It challenges audiences to reflect on the way we consume information and the fine line between reality and myth in the digital age.

With the upcoming 10-year anniversary of its internet fame, Babylonokia has solidified its place as a commentary on the intersection of art, technology, and human curiosity.

This release was published on openPR.