In this episode, Tom Trevatt sits down with Christine Goding-Doty, Assistant Professor of Culture and Media at The New School in New York. What starts with oddly satisfying videos turns into a conversation about how digital media shapes what we feel, notice, and value. They explore the rise of slime, ASMR, and AI-generated content, along with the hidden labour, environmental impact, and platform influence behind it all. This is a conversation about images, desire, and the systems quietly shaping how we experience the online world. TAKEAWAYS-“Oddly satisfying” media is designed to create a physical or emotional response, not just entertainment-Slime videos, ASMR, and similar content often aim to calm the body or reduce stress-Many of these trends are driven by adult viewers, even when the creators are children-Slime became a real micro-economy, with kids making and selling it and brands profiting from demand-The materials behind slime are petrochemical-based, raising environmental concerns-Platforms shape what we see, meaning “community” is often controlled by algorithms-ASMR often relies on sounds traditionally seen as “bad audio” like distortion, breath, or friction-Internet aesthetics, like smoothness and “glassiness,” influence product design and visual culture-AI is starting to enter this space, creating uncanny versions of satisfying content-Content creation can involve hidden labour, especially for young creators-There are ethical concerns around children, monetisation, and lack of regulation online-These trends shape how we see ourselves, including beauty standards and identity online CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Christine Goding-Doty02:10 Teaching culture, media, and art students05:30 Christine’s path through academia08:20 Why study “oddly satisfying” videos10:15 What makes something “oddly satisfying”13:40 The rise of slime videos and ASMR18:10 The economics behind slime and viral content22:30 Environmental impact of slime production26:00 Who watches this content and why30:15 Internet aesthetics and design trends35:40 ASMR, sound, and “bad audio” becoming normal41:20 The role of platforms and algorithms46:00 Dark sides of content creation and child labour52:30 AI-generated content and the uncanny effect58:40 Photography, identity, and AI images01:05:00 Final thoughts on image-making and risk VISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://www.photographyadjacent.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAHost: Tom Trevatt - https://www.instagram.com/tomtrevatt/ CREDITSGuest: Christine Goding-DotyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgoding/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-goding-doty-7a980b14/ PRODUCTIONKeenlii - https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/ SUBSCRIBE AND SUPPORTIf you found value in our conversation, please subscribe to our channel for more insightful episodes. Comment and let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next. Support Our Podcast:To support our podcast and help us bring you more content, please consider leaving a review on YouTube or sharing this episode with your photography-loving friends. ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY ADJACENTWelcome to Photography Adjacent, a podcast about photography and everything else. Each week on our show, we speak to artists, activists, writers, and the occasional photographer to learn about life through their lens. Discover the Stories Behind the Lens: Join us as we explore more than just the art of photography. This podcast celebrates the voices shaping our understanding of the world—from the creative minds that capture life's moments to the change-makers who challenge our perceptions. Through these conversations, we hope to uncover experiences that inspire artistic and personal growth.
