The Strange Pseudo-Mythology of Tumblr

TL;DR

Tumblr mistakenly created an ancient Greek goddess, Mysterian, sparking online interest and fan fiction.

Transcript

so who else remembers that time that Tumblr created an entirely fictional ancient Greek goddess and convinced the internet that she was from ancient Greece I can't be the only person so if you like me were on Tumblr in the late 90s early 2010s then you may have come across the modern day myth of misspyrian it all started with a simple tumblr post a... Read More

Key Insights

• 💅 Tumblr user inadvertently created Mysterian in response to a Greek goddess beauty ranking.
• 🏣 Mysterian's origin traces back to a teenager's fan fiction story posted in 2009.
• ❓ The Mysterian myth exemplifies how misinformation about Greek mythology spreads online.
• 👶 Children of Hades and Persephone in Greek mythology rarely involved both deities together.
• ⛩️ The presence of goddesses like Nemesis and the Furies in Greek mythology hints at themes of vengeance and punishment.
• ℹ️ Misconceptions about ancient Greek myths, like the Athena-Medusa reinterpretation, often stem from online sources.
• ❓ The Mysterian incident exemplifies the influence of internet culture on the reinterpretation of ancient myths.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Mysterian come into existence on Tumblr?

Mysterian originated as a response to a question on the most beautiful Greek goddess, merging misunderstanding with a teen's fan fiction online.

Q: Who is the real creator of Mysterian, the fictional goddess?

A teenager named Sarah Renee Rombold authored a fan fiction story posted on Booksy in 2009, unintentionally giving rise to the myth of Mysterian.

Q: What impact did Mysterian have on internet users and fans?

Mysterian captured the imagination of many, leading to fan art, fan fiction, and a widespread belief in her existence despite her fictional origin.

Q: What does the Mysterian incident reveal about online mythology?

The Mysterian incident showcases how pseudo-mythology can easily thrive on the internet, shaping perceptions of ancient myths without factual basis.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Tumblr user creates fictional goddess Mysterian as a response to a question about the most beautiful Greek goddess.

• Mysterian was inspired by a teenager's fan fiction story posted online.

• The incident highlights how misinformation spreads on the internet, impacting modern understandings of ancient mythology.