11 episodes

MySpace was the first major social media company. And it was the first major social media company to collapse. But what happened on MySpace would have broad implications for all the platforms to follow. What was this internet sensation in aughts? Log on with Joanne McNeil and revisit MySpace through the people who lived it.

Main Accounts: The Story of MySpace iHeartPodcasts

    • Society & Culture
    • 3.9 • 62 Ratings

MySpace was the first major social media company. And it was the first major social media company to collapse. But what happened on MySpace would have broad implications for all the platforms to follow. What was this internet sensation in aughts? Log on with Joanne McNeil and revisit MySpace through the people who lived it.

    8. MySpace Forever

    8. MySpace Forever

    In April 2023, Joanne did something she hadn't tried in well over a decade — she logged into her MySpace account. For our season finale, she set out to find the people who still use MySpace to this day. She reviews the factors that contributed to MySpace’s demise, and looks at what we lost when the MySpace era ended.

    Thanks for your support of Main Accounts! What tech company should Joanne dig into in the future? Let us know on Twitter @jomc.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 31 min
    7. MySecurity

    7. MySecurity

    "If you open a hole on the internet," UCLA professor Sarah T. Roberts tells us, "it gets  filled with sh*t."

    The tragic death of Megan Meier was a turning point for MySpace. As the first social media company to operate on a massive scale, MySpace and its users were forced to grapple with the consequences of that scale.

    In this episode, Joanne is joined by Thomas Kadri of the University of Georgia School of Law to discuss how our legal system was ill-equipped to deal with the social media era. UCLA professor and author Sarah T. Roberts chronicles the early days of content moderation. And Bridget Todd and Scott Zakarin are back to talk about bullying in the MySpace era.  
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 39 min
    Bonus: Tina Meier (Full Interview)

    Bonus: Tina Meier (Full Interview)

    Our last episode featured the tragic death of Megan Meier, which became the biggest scandal MySpace would ever face. In this bonus episode, Joanne wanted to share our full interview with Megan's mother, Tina. Tina told us more about Megan's life, the trial, and the work of the Megan Meier Foundation. Since 2007, the MMF has worked to end bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 16 min
    6. Megan's Story

    6. Megan's Story

    The moral panic over online predators on MySpace was largely overblown, but there was some truth to these concerns. These stories ended up on the nightly news and further stoked people’s fears about who was actually behind MySpace profiles. And one story — the biggest scandal MySpace had faced yet — showed how the use of a fake account could result in circumstances confusing and surreal, and tragic beyond belief.

    And it set in motion events that would lead to MySpace’s eventual collapse.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 32 min
    Bonus: The Jason Scott MySpace Story

    Bonus: The Jason Scott MySpace Story

    We first reached out to digital archivist Jason Scott in episode five about the MySpace data loss. It turns out Jason had a lot more to say about his place in MySpace history that didn't make it into that episode. 

     
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 8 min
    5. My Music

    5. My Music

    MySpace forever changed the way we listen to music. The social network shifted artists' relationships with their fans, and the site helped launch the careers of many huge stars, from Panic! At The Disco to Adele.

    What made MySpace such an influential platform for musicians? And why did all the music disappear?

    In this episode, Joanne sits down with Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias (former Head of Artist Relations at MySpace) and Josh Brooks (former VP of Programming and Music at MySpace). She also speaks to American musician Damon Krukowski (Galaxie 500, Magic Hour, Damon and Naomi), creator Scott Zakarin, and Jason Scott of the Internet Archive. You'll hear more from Jason next week.

    See Also...The MySpace Music Dragon Hoardhttps://archive.org/details/myspace_dragon_hoard_2010

    Damon Krukowski's Newsletter https://dadadrummer.substack.com/

    Roslynn Alba Cobarrubiashttps://www.instagram.com/roslynnc

    Scott Zakarinhttps://www.instagram.com/scottzakarin/Jason Scotthttp://ascii.textfiles.com/
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

3.9 out of 5
62 Ratings

62 Ratings

Whitney24890 ,

Interesting topic

Very cool to hear from the man who made the first social media platforms. I found this all very fascinating, and I learned a lot! I had no idea of any of this when I was using MySpace as a tween. Legitimately my only complaint is the
use of background music in places where I found it distracting/ at odds with the content of the words being spoken. Other than that, great content, interesting subject. A fun and engaging listen.

SantismaMuerte ,

Taylor Lorenz, really?!

Why on earth would you bring this hack on your show? Anyone who gives airtime to this doxxing, dishonest, anti-semitic, unethical, exploitative, crybully charlatan(who by the way has been SUED for ruining people’s lives and businesses with her blatant lies!) needs their head examined. Unsubscribed.

screaming barricuda ,

Stopped caring

Really not very compelling

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

This American Life
This American Life
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
MeSsy with Christina Applegate & Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Wishbone Production
The Viall Files
Nick Viall
Shawn Ryan Show
Shawn Ryan | Cumulus Podcast Network
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

You Might Also Like