Lolcows: The Internet's Never-Ending Tragedy

Lolcows: The Internet's Never-Ending Tragedy explores the phenomenon of lolcows—individuals who are repeatedly baited or tricked into responding to trolls, generating amusing reactions that audiences consume as entertainment. Once targeted, these people rarely escape the cycle. Behind the memes lies a darker reality: audience manipulation, emotional breakdowns, public humiliation, drug use, financial ruin, and lies played out before a global audience. These are real people whose rise and fall mirrors classical tragedy, amplified by the internet's permanent record and appetite for spectacle. The book examines how lolcows are created, the traits that make individuals vulnerable, and the roles trolls, audiences, and platforms play in sustaining the phenomenon. It includes six in-depth case studies: DarkSydePhil (Philip Burnell), an early video game pioneer whose angry reactions to trolls derailed his career; WingsofRedemption (Jordie Jordan), a respected gaming commentator repeatedly targeted by trolls; Boogie2988 (Steven Williams), an early YouTuber whose wholesome image concealed lies and manipulation; Rekieta Law (Nick Rekieta), a Law Tube pioneer whose legal issues and license loss became the subject of the genre he created; iDubbbz (Ian Johma), a comedy and commentary creator who became the target of controversy; and TheQuartering (Jeremy Hambly), who rose to prominence critiquing popular culture before his channels declined into diminishing returns.