About this episode
Storm Area 51 – viral meme, US military, internet conspiracy, aliens, UFOs, Nevada desert, Facebook event, true story. In 2019, a joke Facebook post about storming Area 51 went viral and triggered a full-scale media frenzy that put the US military on high alert. What started as an internet meme turned into a real-world phenomenon that captured the world’s attention. In this episode, we speak with Jack MacInnes, director of the latest Trainwreck episode covering the Storm Area 51 event. He breaks down what really happened, how the story spiralled out of control, and why this strange moment in internet culture still matters. From alien hunters to military warnings, this is the bizarre true story behind one of the internet’s most unforgettable viral events. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 02:32 – Overview of Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 03:26 – The Origin of the Storm Area 51 Meme 08:10 – The Cultural Impact and Narrative of the Event 10:56 – The Role of Influencers and Media 14:19 – Understanding Memes and Their Evolution 16:11 – The Journey to Rural Nevada and Its Significance 18:27 – Exploring the Mystique of Area 51 20:16 – The Meme That Became a Movement 23:13 – The Seriousness of a Joke 25:50 – The Fallout of the Event 28:31 – The Reality of Attendance 29:44 – The Internet's Role in the Phenomenon 31:51 – The Aftermath and Reflections 34:41 – Future Endeavours and New Projects