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{{ContentWarning}}
A '''shock site''' is a website that is designed to shock or disgust visitors with any piece of media. These websites often feature [[:Category:Gore|graphic violence]], [[:Category:Pornography|pornography]], or other disturbing content that is intended to be offensive or disturbing.<ref name="markmarek">http://www.floridalawreview.com/wp-content/uploads/Farmand.pdf</ref> Some shock sites are also designed to trick visitors into clicking on a link that takes them to a shocking or disturbing image or video. Shock sites can be difficult to navigate away from, as they may use pop-ups or other tactics to keep visitors on the site. Shock sites have been around since the early days of the internet, and some of the most well-known shock sites include websites like [[Rotten.com]], [[LiveLeak|Ogrish.com]], and the now-defunct [[Goatse.cx]]. Some shock sites are intended to be humorous or satirical, while others are created with the intent to shock or traumatize visitors. Due to their graphic and disturbing content, they can be illegal in certain jurisdictions. While shock sites are generally regarded as controversial and offensive, they have nevertheless had an impact on internet culture and have been referenced in various forms of media. Some internet users may visit shock sites as a form of dark humor or as a way to push their boundaries, while others may find them disturbing or traumatizing. While shock sites are designed to be humorous or satirical, shock sites can also be used to spread malware or other harmful content.


[[File:Bait and switch.jpg|thumb|220x220px|The ''bait-and-switch'' technique consists of misleading a person into clicking a link by telling them erroneous information.]]
==Background==
'''Shock sites''', also known as '''Gore sites''''','' '''Shock media''''','' or '''shockers''', are a kind of [[screamer]] that use disturbing content, commonly [[:Category:Pornography|pornography]], [[:Category:Gore|gore]], and [[:Category:Graphic content|graphic content]] to shock the viewer(s). Just like traditional [[screamer]]s, shock sites have a goal to shock their viewers with unexpected content. Some good examples of shock sites are [[2 Girls 1 Cup]], [[Jarsquatter]], [[1 Lunatic 1 Ice Pick]], [[Kekma.net]], and [[Goatse]]. These websites have gained a high level of popularity and are often used as a way to prank people. The first shock site ever created was [[Rotten.com]], a website that featured pictures of dead people, disgusting diseases, deformed bodies, and a lot more. In addition, the website was also the first gore site ever created.
[[File:Bait and switch.jpg|thumb|240x240px|The ''bait-and-switch'' technique consists of misleading a person into clicking a link by telling them erroneous information.]]
==History==
Shock sites often used the so-called "bait-and-switch" technique to lure unsuspecting users into clicking a link by disguising the content of the page. In this case, the shock site may be disguised as a harmless or even desirable website, such as a music or video download site, or a news site, in order to entice users to click on the link. Once the user clicks on the link, they are typically redirected to a page that contains graphic, violent, or otherwise disturbing content, such as images or videos of gore, animal cruelty, or sexual acts. This sudden and unexpected exposure to shocking content is intended to elicit a strong emotional response, such as fear, disgust, or outrage. Some shock sites use additional tactics to intensify the shock value, such as pop-up windows or sudden loud noises. Others may employ false warnings or fake error messages in order to create a sense of urgency or danger, further heightening the user's emotional state.  
In 1996, [[Rotten.com]] was registered by Thomas E. Dell (Soylent) after he wrote a program that could guess domains with one word, and "Rotten" was one of the unclaimed words. Rotten.com hosted a gallery of gore videos and images.<ref>Wofford, T. (2017, November 29). [https://theoutline.com/post/2549/rotten-com-is-offline "Rotten.com Is Offline"]. The Outline.</ref> One file submitted, "motorcyle.jpg", concerned many people and resulted in tons of emails being sent to the creator. The file name suggests that it may have been a motorcycle accident, although the website claimed it was likely an "''attempted shotgun suicide''".<ref>web.archive.org/web/20050516235424/rotten.com/FAQ/</ref>


In 1999, [[Goatse.cx]] was registered. Its front page showed a picture, titled "''Hello.jpg''" which depicts a man stretching his anus using both hands.<ref>Nast, C. (2013, April 16). [https://www.wired.com/2013/04/goatse/ "Goatse And the Rise Of the Web's Gross-Out Culture"]. [[wikipedia:WIRED|Wired]].</ref> It was originally named "gap3.jpg" in the .zip file called "Gap.zip", a file with images of [[Kirk Johnson]] "''using dildos and butt plugs to stretch his anus''".<ref><nowiki>https://handwiki.org/wiki/Social:Goatse.cx</nowiki></ref> A shock image, [[Tubgirl]] originally took place there.  
Shock sites are widely considered to be unethical and harmful, and many countries have laws that prohibit the distribution of certain types of shocking or offensive content. As such, it is important for internet users to exercise caution when clicking on links or visiting unfamiliar websites, and to avoid sites that may contain potentially offensive or harmful content. Shock sites follow a formula that includes a bait-and-switch tactic. They often have a seemingly innocuous or enticing title or image to draw the viewer in, but then present shocking or disturbing content. This content can range from graphic violence and gore to sexual content and other taboo subjects. Shock sites are designed to shock and disgust the viewer, with the intent of eliciting a strong emotional reaction. Some shock sites also include sound effects or music to enhance the impact of the content. The formula of shock sites is deliberately designed to be provocative and disturbing, with the goal of creating a memorable experience for the viewer. The use of a bait-and-switch tactic is a key part of this formula, as it manipulates the viewer's expectations and then delivers content that is completely different from what they were expecting. The combination of shocking content and the element of surprise makes shock sites a controversial and often criticized part of internet culture.


In 2000, [[Ogrish.com]] was registered to cover uncensored news and videos. Ogrish.com was best known for its publication of war videos and caused controversy by not asking for consent from any victims' families to upload a video.  
==History==
{{Main|Screamer Wiki:Throughout the Years}}
Shock sites have been present on the internet since the mid-1990s when websites started to include more graphic and controversial content. Websites like [[Rotten.com]] and [[Stile Project]] gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s for their graphic content, including violence, gore, and pornography, and were described as "shock sites" due to their ability to shock and disgust viewers. One of the earliest shock sites was Rotten.com, founded in 1996, which featured graphic images of death, violence, and gore.<ref name="vice">How shock sites shaped the internet. VICE. (2023, February 27). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxnw7b/shit-death-and-gore-how-shock-sites-shaped-the-internet</ref><ref>Robertson, A. (2012, June 13). Snuff: Murder and torture on the internet, and the people who watch it. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2012/6/13/3076557/snuff-murder-torture-internet-people-who-watch-it</ref> While shock content has been created since the early days of the internet, the term "shock site" was not coined until the early 2000s, when the rise of the internet and the emergence of [[wikipedia:Web 2.0|Web 2.0]] platforms created new opportunities for online shock content. The first known shock site was "[[Goatse]]" which emerged in the late 1990s and featured an image of a man stretching his anus with his hands, becoming infamous for its shocking content and giving its name to the entire genre of shock sites.<ref name="vice" />
<!---- Please avoid mentioning other shock sites here to avoid spoiling their content ---->
In the early 2000s, the internet saw the rise of shock sites, including "[[Lemon Party|Lemonparty]]" and "[[Tubgirl]]" which were known for their bait-and-switch formula, revealing shocking or disgusting images after appearing innocuous. Other shock sites became popular for their use of graphic violence, gore, and disturbing imagery. As the internet evolved, shock sites became increasingly prevalent and extreme, with sites like [[LiveLeak|Ogrish.com]] and [[Bestgore.com]] gaining large followings for their graphic and real-life images and videos of violence. Shock sites featuring sexually explicit content, such as [[The Mac User]], [[Selfpwn.org]], [[Meatspin]],<ref>Bond, J.-M. (2021, March 17). Revisiting Meatspin, the NSFW site that shocked a generation. The Daily Dot. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/meatspin-meme/</ref> became popular for their ability to shock and trick unsuspecting viewers. The mid-2000s saw shock sites gain mainstream attention through high-profile cases like the "[[Running the Gauntlet|Run the Gauntlet]]" challenge, which featured increasingly disturbing videos that users were challenged to watch in their entirety. Over time, shock sites continued to emerge, each attempting to push the envelope in terms of graphic and disturbing content. Infamous shock sites including now-defunct [[LiveLeak]] featuring real-life videos of violence and death.<ref>Cole Stryker (2016, March 1). Murder, mayhem, and the evolution of liveleak. Newsweek. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.newsweek.com/2014/10/10/murder-mayhem-and-evolution-website-liveleak-273963.html</ref>


[[Lemon Party|Lemonparty.org]] was created on October 3, 2002, and showed a picture of three naked old men having sex while “[[wikipedia:If You Wanna Be Happy|If You Wanna Be Happy]]” by Jimmy Soul played in the background.
Shock sites were once a popular phenomenon on the internet. However, their popularity has declined in recent years due to increased regulation and moderation of online content,<ref name="vice" /> as well as the rise of social media. Many shock sites have been shut down due to legal issues, while others have faded into obscurity as internet users have moved on to other forms of online entertainment. Despite their controversial and taboo nature, shock sites remain a part of internet history and continue to intrigue and disgust viewers. Shock sites are often associated with online communities such as [[4chan]], and have been the subject of memes and internet jokes. Nevertheless, they are widely considered socially unacceptable. Today, shock content can still be found on the internet, but it has been pushed to the fringes of the web. Although shock sites are no longer as popular as they once were, they have left a lasting impact on internet culture. They have been the focus of numerous articles, documentaries, and discussions, and continue to be referenced in online communities. Some shock sites have even become memes or been incorporated into other forms of digital art.


[[Meatspin]], which was created in 2005, shows a looping video of two people having anal sex while the receiving partner's penis spins. [[wikipedia:You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)|You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)]] by [[wikipedia:Dead or Alive|Dead or Alive]] plays while the viewer watches the penis spin. The website also has a counter of how many "spins" the user has watched. The owner followed the website with [[Meatspinnetwork.com]] on February 2nd, 2006.
==Reception and Impact==
{{See Also|Screamers}}
Shock sites have had a significant impact on both internet culture and society as a whole, with complex and often polarizing effects. Critics of shock sites have pointed out that the graphic and disturbing content of these websites can have negative impacts on viewers. In particular, exposure to violent and sexually explicit material online has been linked to an increase in aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, and other harmful outcomes. Furthermore, some have argued that shock sites promote a culture of cruelty and desensitization, where people become numb to the suffering of others and are more likely to engage in violent or abusive behavior. However, others have argued that shock sites can have a positive role to play in pushing boundaries In particular, shock sites have been seen as a way to shock people out of their complacency and expose them to uncomfortable truths about the world. Some have even viewed shock sites as a form of artistic expression, with their graphic and disturbing content serving as a legitimate way of exploring taboo subjects. Despite the controversies surrounding them, shock sites have played a significant part in shaping internet culture since their emergence in the early 2000s. Shock sites have had an influence on memes, online humor, and other forms of digital content, with the graphic and disturbing images and videos featured on shock sites being repurposed and remixed in a variety of ways. As a result, shock sites have become a staple of internet humor and online culture more broadly.


[[Mr. Hands]] is a nickname given to a man named Kenneth Pinyan<ref><nowiki>http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=30811</nowiki></ref> who's video of himself receiving anal sex from a horse, alongside a man named James Michael Tait, and dying afterwards went viral in July 2005.<ref><nowiki>https://web.archive.org/web/20180926001255/http://www.popcrunch.com/7-people-who-took-animals-for-lovers/</nowiki></ref>
The shock site and [[screamer]] phenomena were two distinct yet significant aspects of early internet culture, with different impacts on the digital landscape. Shock sites, featuring graphic and disturbing content, sparked controversy and criticism for their "potential harm" to viewers, and promotion of desensitization and cruelty. Despite these issues, shock sites influenced internet memes, humor, and digital content while raising questions about online safety and regulation. Screamer videos, a specific subcategory of shock sites, consisted of harmless content that suddenly switched to a startling image and screams, often used as a prank. While short-lived, screamer videos heavily influenced online humor and pranking culture. In terms of impact, shock sites were broader and more controversial, while screamer videos were more focused but influential in shaping online humor. Both phenomena prompted discussions about online content regulation and safety and continue to have a lasting impact on our approach to graphic and disturbing content online.
[[File:1-01.jpg|thumb|74px|Common shock sites (click on the image to view)]]
[[2 Girls 1 Cup]] was the one minute trailer for the scat pornographic film ''Hungry Bitches'' directed by Marco Fiorito and produced by [[MFX Media]].<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/revolting/2-girls-1-cup-real-poop "2 Girls, 1 Cup: The Real Poop"]. (2007, November 30). The Smoking Gun.</ref> The trailer for the movie went viral and sparked the golden age of shock sites.  


In 2007, the [[wikipedia:Dnepropetrovsk_maniacs|Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs]]' video of the murder 48-year-old Sergei Yatzenko was leaked, and was dubbed [[3 Guys 1 Hammer]].<ref><nowiki>http://kydmi.creditmanagementitaly.com/</nowiki></ref> The teenagers behind the video, Viktor Sayenko, Igor Suprunyuk and Alexander Hanzha, had killed 20 other people prior to making this video. All three boys were found guilty, and Sayenko and Suprunyuk were sentenced to life in prison, while Hanzha received nine years.<ref><nowiki>https://casefilepodcast.com/case-92-dnepropetrovsk-maniacs/</nowiki></ref>
==Legality==
The legality of shock sites is a complex issue that varies depending on the specific content featured on the site and the laws of each country. Shock sites often feature content that is illegal in some jurisdictions, such as violent or sexually explicit images or videos. The owners of shock sites have faced legal repercussions in some cases. The legality of shock sites remains a contentious issue, with some arguing that they should be banned altogether due to their potentially harmful effects, while others argue that they are protected under free speech laws.<ref name="vice" /> The availability of graphic and disturbing content online can be harmful to young people and vulnerable individuals. There have been calls for increased regulation and moderation of online content. The legal status of shock sites has been the subject of several high-profile cases, including the case of Mark Marek, owner of [[Bestgore.com]],<ref name="markmarek" /><ref>Global News. (2013, February 22). Police charge Edmonton gore site owner in Magnotta video investigation. http://globalnews.ca/news/723495/police-charge-edmonton-gore-site-owner-in-magnotta-video-investigation/</ref><ref>CBC News. (2016, January 25). Marek trial opens: Edmonton man charged with hate crime over racist website. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/marek-trial-opens-1.3416408</ref> and Chris Wilson, creator of the shock site "Now That's Fucked Up" (NTFU). Another shock site [[Kekma.net]] was also banned from several countries due to the content it displayed.
==In popular culture==
{{See Also|Reaction videos}}
[[File:Reaction 2.png|thumb|220x220px|A group of soldiers reacting to '''2 Girls 1 Cup'''.]]
Shock sites have become less popular in recent years. However, they still exist on the fringes of the internet and their legacy lives on in popular culture. Shock site imagery has been referenced and parodied in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and music videos. Despite this, the widespread use and acceptance of trigger warnings in popular culture have made it more difficult for shock sites to gain the same level of attention and notoriety that they once had. One example of a shock site in popular culture is the fictional website "Bonsai Kitten," which gained notoriety in the early 2000s. The website claimed to offer a method for growing kittens in jars, with the goal of shaping them into unique and decorative forms. Although the site was revealed to be a hoax and no actual kittens were harmed, it sparked outrage from animal rights groups and the general public. Despite this, it became a cultural phenomenon and was referenced in various media including TV shows, music videos, and video games.


In 2008, [[Bestgore.com]] was registered by Mark Merek and received media attention in June 2012 when [[Luka Magnotta|Luka Rocco Magnotta]] posted a video of him stabbing and having sex with 33 year old Jun Lin's corpse. Magnotta posted three videos one year prior of him suffocating his kittens in different ways.<ref name="Vulture">Haylock, Z. (2020, January 22). [https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/dont-fuck-with-cats-netflix.html "A Cat Lover’s Guide To Don’t F**k With Cats"]. Vulture.</ref> One of his videos, titled "[[1 Boy 2 Kittens]]", went viral and angered many "cat lovers" who hunted him down. When the "[[1 Lunatic 1 Icepick]]" video was uploaded, they pointed out that it was Magnotta.<ref name="Vulture" />
Another example is the "[[Lemon Party]]" meme, which features a photograph of three elderly men engaging in sexual acts. The photograph was taken from a gay pornographic website and was first circulated online in the early 2000s. It gained notoriety as an internet shock site and was often used to shock and disgust people. However, over time, the image became a popular meme in internet culture and was used for humorous purposes or to troll people. The Lemon Party meme has been referenced in popular media, such as "[[wikipedia:The Office|The Office]]" and the video game ''[[wikipedia:Saints Row IV|Saints Row IV]]'' [[Lemon Party]] was mentioned on a sketch on ''Talkshow with Spike Feresten'', ''[[wikipedia:Archer|Archer]]'', ''[[wikipedia:The Simpsons|The Simpsons]]'', ''[[wikipedia:The Cleveland Show|The Cleveland Show]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:30 Rock|30 Rock]]''. ''30 Rock'' made three allusions to "Lemon Party".
 
In 2013, [[GoreJunkies]] received 4 million unique visitors after its launch.
 
In late 2014, a video titled [[2 Friends 1 Fish]] was hosted under 2friends1fish.com, where it showed a fish giving oral sex to a man. The Metro said that the video had circulated "''hundreds of thousands of times.''"<ref>McAteer, O. (2014, December 20). [http://metro.co.uk/2014/12/20/bizarre-video-of-man-having-sex-with-fish-goes-viral-4994405/ "Bizarre Video Of Man Having Sex With Fish Goes Viral"]. Metro.</ref> Daily Star also said that it was first uploaded by Facebook user Florin Rada.<ref>Wells, A. (2014, December 19). [https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/singer-florin-rada-denies-sex-18704585 "GRAPHIC CONTENT: Singer Denies Having Sex With FISH On Camera"]. Daily Star</ref> On the same year, [[Glory Hole Foundation]] and its sister site Desk Corporate IT were created to prank a user who was looking for warranted goods.
 
[[Spritecranberry.net]] was created in 2019, and originally redirected the viewer to a [[YouTube]] video titled "''How to express your dogs anal glands at home (Veterinarian recommended way)''". The site now redirects to an image of a bloody hair transplant.
 
On April 23rd, 2019, [[Kekma.ga]] was released. Kekma.ga, also known under its current URL Kekma.net, is a shock site that once opened displays an 18+ age warning and a giant button that says "ENTER" in the middle. Once clicked, the website will change to extreme gore with a centre video of a man squatting in a pool of semi-clotted blood, forcing a large, bloodstained industrial screw down his urethra. A 41-minute video titled "The Kekma movie" was released on September 11, 2020, and contains several YouTube Poops, various parodies, offensive jokes, and numerous statements about the September 11 attacks. The owner of the website, Obok Meatgod, followed up with another site called [[WomensAlliance.xyz]] in October 2020, which shut down a few months later.
 
A viral graphic shock video titled [[Duck Pack 51|Duckpack51]] was uploaded to [[TikTok]] by user ''Mayengg03'' in June 2021, who was banned after moderators found his post. The video is named after the blog post page where it originated from, and shows a clip of a girl dancing before cutting to a video of a young woman being beheaded by a drug cartel. The same year, a formerly lost snuff film titled [[Snuff R73]] was found after a horror cinema [https://icebergcharts.com/ iceberg chart] mentioning the film was posted onto Reddit. The film is a 10 minutes 55 seconds compilation of extreme medical gore from the [https://www.britannica.com/event/Syrian-Civil-War Syrian civil war] involving children and babies, as well as security footage of a man stomping on and killing a toddler. Youtuber [https://youtube.fandom.com/wiki/Tuv Tuv] described the film as "The most banned video on the internet"<ref><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwX91YT4Tw</nowiki></ref>.
== Popular Culture ==
Because of their popularity, shock sites have been mentioned or featured in some works of fiction. [[Lemon Party]] has been mentioned in a sketch on ''Talkshow with Spike Feresten'', ''Archer'', ''The Simpsons'', ''The Cleveland Show'' and ''30 Rock''. ''30 Rock'' made three allusions to "Lemon party".
 
The website has also been described by Jimmy Fallon on the ''Opie and Anthony'' radio show, on Chelsea Handler's TV show ''Chelsea Lately'', Michael J. Nelson from RiffTrax.com during the RiffTrax for ''Avatar'', by Jon Stewart on ''The Daily Show'', ''American Dad'', and by Michael Cera and Jonah Hill during promotion for the film SuperBad.
 
In the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Guy Family Guy]'' episode ''[https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Back_to_the_Woods Back to the Woods],'' [https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Brian Brian] asks [https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Stewie Stewie] for help getting unhitched to a pole, but Stewie refuses in retaliation for "making me watch that video with the 2 girls and a cup!" The episode then cuts to [https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Brian Brian] filming [https://familyguy.fandom.com/wiki/Stewie Stewie] sitting on the computer and watching [[2 Girls 1 Cup]]. Stewie then proceeds to become surprised and shocked by the video.<ref><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moHj6cIrmQ4</nowiki></ref>
=== '''Reactions''' ===
[[File:Reaction 2.png|thumb|220x220px|A group of soldiers reacting to '''2 Girls 1 Cup'''.]]
<span>As shock sites made surface on the web, more reaction videos were being posted and eventually became a trend on the Internet. The concept of a reaction video </span>is to get someone to visit a shock site while recording their reaction. A good example of this is the ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doZnJSojBtw Marines 2 Girls 1 Cup Reactions]'' video, which has accumulated almost 11 million views since it was posted to YouTube in April 2008.


A shock site that gained notoriety in popular culture is "[[2 Girls 1 Cup]]," a viral video that depicts two women engaging in sexually explicit acts, including feces consumption. The video became a widespread internet meme in the late 2000s, with many people sharing [[reaction videos]] of themselves or others watching it. It has been referenced in various media and even inspired a ''[[wikipedia:South Park|South Park]]'' episode. This shock site also inspired the concept of what would become known as "[[reaction videos]]."<ref name="vice" />
==References==
<references />
== Links ==
== Links ==
* '''''[[:Category:Shock sites|All shock sites on this wiki]]'''''
* '''''[[:Category:Shock sites|All shock sites featured on {{SITENAME}}]]'''''
* '''''[[List of Shock sites|More shock sites that were not listed on the Category.]]'''''
* '''''[[List of Shock sites|More shock sites that were not listed on the Category]]'''''
===External Links===
*(Rotten Websites Wiki) <nowiki>https://rottenwebsites.miraheze.org/wiki/Shock_Sites_%26_Videos</nowiki>
 
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
 
{{Screamer}}
{{Comments}}
[[Category:Shock sites]]
[[Category:Shock sites]]
{{Comments}}
[[Category:Gore]]
[[Category:Pornography]]
[[Category:Graphic content]]
[[Category:1990s]]

Latest revision as of 23:16, 30 July 2023

Content Warning!
The following work contains content and material that some may find shocking. Reader discretion is advised.

A shock site is a website that is designed to shock or disgust visitors with any piece of media. These websites often feature graphic violence, pornography, or other disturbing content that is intended to be offensive or disturbing.[1] Some shock sites are also designed to trick visitors into clicking on a link that takes them to a shocking or disturbing image or video. Shock sites can be difficult to navigate away from, as they may use pop-ups or other tactics to keep visitors on the site. Shock sites have been around since the early days of the internet, and some of the most well-known shock sites include websites like Rotten.com, Ogrish.com, and the now-defunct Goatse.cx. Some shock sites are intended to be humorous or satirical, while others are created with the intent to shock or traumatize visitors. Due to their graphic and disturbing content, they can be illegal in certain jurisdictions. While shock sites are generally regarded as controversial and offensive, they have nevertheless had an impact on internet culture and have been referenced in various forms of media. Some internet users may visit shock sites as a form of dark humor or as a way to push their boundaries, while others may find them disturbing or traumatizing. While shock sites are designed to be humorous or satirical, shock sites can also be used to spread malware or other harmful content.

Background

The bait-and-switch technique consists of misleading a person into clicking a link by telling them erroneous information.

Shock sites often used the so-called "bait-and-switch" technique to lure unsuspecting users into clicking a link by disguising the content of the page. In this case, the shock site may be disguised as a harmless or even desirable website, such as a music or video download site, or a news site, in order to entice users to click on the link. Once the user clicks on the link, they are typically redirected to a page that contains graphic, violent, or otherwise disturbing content, such as images or videos of gore, animal cruelty, or sexual acts. This sudden and unexpected exposure to shocking content is intended to elicit a strong emotional response, such as fear, disgust, or outrage. Some shock sites use additional tactics to intensify the shock value, such as pop-up windows or sudden loud noises. Others may employ false warnings or fake error messages in order to create a sense of urgency or danger, further heightening the user's emotional state.

Shock sites are widely considered to be unethical and harmful, and many countries have laws that prohibit the distribution of certain types of shocking or offensive content. As such, it is important for internet users to exercise caution when clicking on links or visiting unfamiliar websites, and to avoid sites that may contain potentially offensive or harmful content. Shock sites follow a formula that includes a bait-and-switch tactic. They often have a seemingly innocuous or enticing title or image to draw the viewer in, but then present shocking or disturbing content. This content can range from graphic violence and gore to sexual content and other taboo subjects. Shock sites are designed to shock and disgust the viewer, with the intent of eliciting a strong emotional reaction. Some shock sites also include sound effects or music to enhance the impact of the content. The formula of shock sites is deliberately designed to be provocative and disturbing, with the goal of creating a memorable experience for the viewer. The use of a bait-and-switch tactic is a key part of this formula, as it manipulates the viewer's expectations and then delivers content that is completely different from what they were expecting. The combination of shocking content and the element of surprise makes shock sites a controversial and often criticized part of internet culture.

History

Main Article: Screamer Wiki:Throughout the Years

Shock sites have been present on the internet since the mid-1990s when websites started to include more graphic and controversial content. Websites like Rotten.com and Stile Project gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s for their graphic content, including violence, gore, and pornography, and were described as "shock sites" due to their ability to shock and disgust viewers. One of the earliest shock sites was Rotten.com, founded in 1996, which featured graphic images of death, violence, and gore.[2][3] While shock content has been created since the early days of the internet, the term "shock site" was not coined until the early 2000s, when the rise of the internet and the emergence of Web 2.0 platforms created new opportunities for online shock content. The first known shock site was "Goatse" which emerged in the late 1990s and featured an image of a man stretching his anus with his hands, becoming infamous for its shocking content and giving its name to the entire genre of shock sites.[2] In the early 2000s, the internet saw the rise of shock sites, including "Lemonparty" and "Tubgirl" which were known for their bait-and-switch formula, revealing shocking or disgusting images after appearing innocuous. Other shock sites became popular for their use of graphic violence, gore, and disturbing imagery. As the internet evolved, shock sites became increasingly prevalent and extreme, with sites like Ogrish.com and Bestgore.com gaining large followings for their graphic and real-life images and videos of violence. Shock sites featuring sexually explicit content, such as The Mac User, Selfpwn.org, Meatspin,[4] became popular for their ability to shock and trick unsuspecting viewers. The mid-2000s saw shock sites gain mainstream attention through high-profile cases like the "Run the Gauntlet" challenge, which featured increasingly disturbing videos that users were challenged to watch in their entirety. Over time, shock sites continued to emerge, each attempting to push the envelope in terms of graphic and disturbing content. Infamous shock sites including now-defunct LiveLeak featuring real-life videos of violence and death.[5]

Shock sites were once a popular phenomenon on the internet. However, their popularity has declined in recent years due to increased regulation and moderation of online content,[2] as well as the rise of social media. Many shock sites have been shut down due to legal issues, while others have faded into obscurity as internet users have moved on to other forms of online entertainment. Despite their controversial and taboo nature, shock sites remain a part of internet history and continue to intrigue and disgust viewers. Shock sites are often associated with online communities such as 4chan, and have been the subject of memes and internet jokes. Nevertheless, they are widely considered socially unacceptable. Today, shock content can still be found on the internet, but it has been pushed to the fringes of the web. Although shock sites are no longer as popular as they once were, they have left a lasting impact on internet culture. They have been the focus of numerous articles, documentaries, and discussions, and continue to be referenced in online communities. Some shock sites have even become memes or been incorporated into other forms of digital art.

Reception and Impact

See Also: Screamers

Shock sites have had a significant impact on both internet culture and society as a whole, with complex and often polarizing effects. Critics of shock sites have pointed out that the graphic and disturbing content of these websites can have negative impacts on viewers. In particular, exposure to violent and sexually explicit material online has been linked to an increase in aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, and other harmful outcomes. Furthermore, some have argued that shock sites promote a culture of cruelty and desensitization, where people become numb to the suffering of others and are more likely to engage in violent or abusive behavior. However, others have argued that shock sites can have a positive role to play in pushing boundaries In particular, shock sites have been seen as a way to shock people out of their complacency and expose them to uncomfortable truths about the world. Some have even viewed shock sites as a form of artistic expression, with their graphic and disturbing content serving as a legitimate way of exploring taboo subjects. Despite the controversies surrounding them, shock sites have played a significant part in shaping internet culture since their emergence in the early 2000s. Shock sites have had an influence on memes, online humor, and other forms of digital content, with the graphic and disturbing images and videos featured on shock sites being repurposed and remixed in a variety of ways. As a result, shock sites have become a staple of internet humor and online culture more broadly.

The shock site and screamer phenomena were two distinct yet significant aspects of early internet culture, with different impacts on the digital landscape. Shock sites, featuring graphic and disturbing content, sparked controversy and criticism for their "potential harm" to viewers, and promotion of desensitization and cruelty. Despite these issues, shock sites influenced internet memes, humor, and digital content while raising questions about online safety and regulation. Screamer videos, a specific subcategory of shock sites, consisted of harmless content that suddenly switched to a startling image and screams, often used as a prank. While short-lived, screamer videos heavily influenced online humor and pranking culture. In terms of impact, shock sites were broader and more controversial, while screamer videos were more focused but influential in shaping online humor. Both phenomena prompted discussions about online content regulation and safety and continue to have a lasting impact on our approach to graphic and disturbing content online.

Legality

The legality of shock sites is a complex issue that varies depending on the specific content featured on the site and the laws of each country. Shock sites often feature content that is illegal in some jurisdictions, such as violent or sexually explicit images or videos. The owners of shock sites have faced legal repercussions in some cases. The legality of shock sites remains a contentious issue, with some arguing that they should be banned altogether due to their potentially harmful effects, while others argue that they are protected under free speech laws.[2] The availability of graphic and disturbing content online can be harmful to young people and vulnerable individuals. There have been calls for increased regulation and moderation of online content. The legal status of shock sites has been the subject of several high-profile cases, including the case of Mark Marek, owner of Bestgore.com,[1][6][7] and Chris Wilson, creator of the shock site "Now That's Fucked Up" (NTFU). Another shock site Kekma.net was also banned from several countries due to the content it displayed.

In popular culture

See Also: Reaction videos
A group of soldiers reacting to 2 Girls 1 Cup.

Shock sites have become less popular in recent years. However, they still exist on the fringes of the internet and their legacy lives on in popular culture. Shock site imagery has been referenced and parodied in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and music videos. Despite this, the widespread use and acceptance of trigger warnings in popular culture have made it more difficult for shock sites to gain the same level of attention and notoriety that they once had. One example of a shock site in popular culture is the fictional website "Bonsai Kitten," which gained notoriety in the early 2000s. The website claimed to offer a method for growing kittens in jars, with the goal of shaping them into unique and decorative forms. Although the site was revealed to be a hoax and no actual kittens were harmed, it sparked outrage from animal rights groups and the general public. Despite this, it became a cultural phenomenon and was referenced in various media including TV shows, music videos, and video games.

Another example is the "Lemon Party" meme, which features a photograph of three elderly men engaging in sexual acts. The photograph was taken from a gay pornographic website and was first circulated online in the early 2000s. It gained notoriety as an internet shock site and was often used to shock and disgust people. However, over time, the image became a popular meme in internet culture and was used for humorous purposes or to troll people. The Lemon Party meme has been referenced in popular media, such as "The Office" and the video game Saints Row IV Lemon Party was mentioned on a sketch on Talkshow with Spike Feresten, ArcherThe SimpsonsThe Cleveland Show and 30 Rock30 Rock made three allusions to "Lemon Party".

A shock site that gained notoriety in popular culture is "2 Girls 1 Cup," a viral video that depicts two women engaging in sexually explicit acts, including feces consumption. The video became a widespread internet meme in the late 2000s, with many people sharing reaction videos of themselves or others watching it. It has been referenced in various media and even inspired a South Park episode. This shock site also inspired the concept of what would become known as "reaction videos."[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.floridalawreview.com/wp-content/uploads/Farmand.pdf
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 How shock sites shaped the internet. VICE. (2023, February 27). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxnw7b/shit-death-and-gore-how-shock-sites-shaped-the-internet
  3. Robertson, A. (2012, June 13). Snuff: Murder and torture on the internet, and the people who watch it. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2012/6/13/3076557/snuff-murder-torture-internet-people-who-watch-it
  4. Bond, J.-M. (2021, March 17). Revisiting Meatspin, the NSFW site that shocked a generation. The Daily Dot. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/meatspin-meme/
  5. Cole Stryker (2016, March 1). Murder, mayhem, and the evolution of liveleak. Newsweek. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.newsweek.com/2014/10/10/murder-mayhem-and-evolution-website-liveleak-273963.html
  6. Global News. (2013, February 22). Police charge Edmonton gore site owner in Magnotta video investigation. http://globalnews.ca/news/723495/police-charge-edmonton-gore-site-owner-in-magnotta-video-investigation/
  7. CBC News. (2016, January 25). Marek trial opens: Edmonton man charged with hate crime over racist website. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/marek-trial-opens-1.3416408

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