Why AI cat videos are becoming the internet’s newest weird obsession

2026-05-13 · 75 min · 9 entities

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→ discusses Society & Culture concept

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→ discusses News concept

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→ discusses Technology company

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Feed author/publisher: Garbage Media
→ references Courier website

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Link in episode "Why AI cat videos are becoming the internet’s newest weird obsession": https://mintmobile.com/courier

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companys 4

mentioned Garbage Media company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Garbage Media
mentioned Technology company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Technology
discusses Technology company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Technology
hosted by Garbage Media company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Garbage Media

concepts 3

mentioned Society & Culture concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
discusses Society & Culture concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
discusses News concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: News

websites 2

mentioned Courier website

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evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why AI cat videos are becoming the internet’s newest weird obsession": https://mintmobile.com/courier
references Courier website

0.38

evidence rules-v5
Link in episode "Why AI cat videos are becoming the internet’s newest weird obsession": https://mintmobile.com/courier

Episode description as stored

Why are cats so popular on the internet? It started with cat memes like I Can Haz Cheezburger and Keyboard Cat, then we became enamored with cat celebrities like Lil Bub, Grumpy Cat, and Princess Monstertruck. And now, we’re witnessing the next evolution in cat internet content: “cute cat AI.” Our guest and host of American Hysteria, Chelsey Weber-Smith, calls it a “Kitty Horror Picture Show.” Chelsey joins Ryan and Grant to tell us about the explosion of really weird AI-generated cat videos depicting cat families that’s all over TikTok and YouTube right now — much like Elsagate once did in 2014. Then, Ryan takes us back even further, to cover an older cat-based moral panic: Bonsai Kittens. Together, we look at how though technology has changed, we’ve pretty much always wanted to show each other freaky stuff on the internet — whether real or fake. Our guest Chelsey Weber-Smith hosts American Hysteria, a show that explores the fantastical thinking and irrational fears of Americans. Check it out here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Want even more Panic World content? SponsorsMint Mobile: Shop plans at https://mintmobile.com/courier for three months of coverage at $45. Like ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord? Sign up for a membership at: https://www.patreon.com/PanicWorld. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices