Podfictits

The #podfictits meme is a hashtag on twitter that involves podficcers and podfic listeners posting pictures of their breasts, often with a microphone or earphones in the shot, most likely nestled in their cleavage. The pictures generally centre on the person's breasts, cutting off the face and lower body. Most of the people featured are wearing only a bra, though some have completely naked breasts or are wearing clothes that show off cleavage.
==Origins==
It was during a podcast recording on November 10, 2012, by bessyboo, hananobira, heard_the_owl, jenepod, and paraka, that the term podfictits was first used. The podcast was being recorded for pod_awareDay 2 - Podfic Fandom by paraka, November 12, 2012. (Accessed October 23, 2015) and while the original conversation was cut, the outtake where the term was coined was released later as a blooper on twitter.#PodficTits needs to be a ~thing, people! heard-the-owl.parakaproductions.com/podfic_TITS.mp3 (podcast outtakes :D) by paraka, linking to Paraka Productions, November 14, 2012. (Accessed October 23, 2015) In the blooper, heard_the_owl was attempting to say podfic_tips, the name of a resource comm for podficcers on Livejournal, but kept flubbing the line and sounding as though she said podfic tits. Paraka jokingly said "although I think podfic tits would be a fun comm too" and bessyboo announced that she would "be the first to post." It was heard_the_owl that suggested putting your mic in your cleavage for the picture.
In the blooper recording, the group joked about starting a tumblr with this name, but due to the ease of posting, bessyboo simply posted a picture of her breasts and microphone to her personal twitter account.#PODFICTITS twitpic.com/bc71qc by bessyboo, November 10, 2012. (Accessed October 23, 2015) 
Despite enthusiasm for the idea, only one picture was posted in 2012.
 
==2013==
It wasn't until January 2013 that the #podfictits meme reached a higher level of distribution and participation. 
On January 2, 2013 thriceandonce tweeted "Mostly what I want is a pack. Cuz if werewolf fics have taught me anything, it's that pack means family, an alpha, & half-naked puppy piles."Locked tweet by thriceandonce, January 2, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) This lead to a twitter discussion, originally primarily between thriceandonce, hananobira, and paraka about podfic fandom being a pack.@thriceandonce We could start a podfic pack? by paraka, January 2, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) Hananobira asked who the alpha of the podfic pack would be, and suggested that bessyboo and paraka, two vocal podficcers on twitter, should fight for the title.@thriceandonce But who's the alpha? If @ParakaPodfic and @bessyboo want to fight it out for the title of Queen of Twitter Podfic Fandom… by hananobira, January 2, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) She suggested that the fight should be determined "by taking pictures of microphones in their cleavage"@thriceandonce @ParakaPodfic @bessyboo I would watch that. Can it be decided by taking pictures of microphones in their cleavage? by hananobira, January 2, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015), as both a reference to the 2012 conversation in the pod_aware podfcast (of which she was a part of) and as a reference to the shirtlessness prevalent in Teen Wolf, a popular show about teenage werewolves.
In response to the challenge, paraka posted a shirtless picture, with a mic between her breasts with the #podfictits hashtag. Bessyboo responded the next day with a pictureI couldn't let @ParakaPodfic's tweet go unchallenged. #PODFICTITS #FightForTwitterPodficAlpha #AwwwwwwwwwYeah by bessyboo, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 23, 2015) but by then others had already joined in.The #podfictits tag on twitter in January 2013, January 2013. (Accessed October 23, 2015) While the meme's connection to the idea of a podfic pack stuck for some participants, seen almost as a requirement for entry to the pack@Hananobira @reenajenkins @analise010 @bessyboo @lattice_frames If I don't post #podfictits, can I still be in the pack? I wanna be omega!! by miss_marina95, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015)I don't have cleavage but I've been trying to use a new mic. Following along w/ rest of group = total beta #podfictits by rhea314, January 2, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015), it quickly lost that context as people joined in out of appreciation and fun.I'm not sure why #podfictits is happening...but I wholeheartedly approve. by TheOneCalledEli, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015)There is boob-age on my TL, what th-- Oh. Breasts with mics. Must be podficcers. Carry on. #podfictits by noir_baby, January 2, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015)
In January of 2013, almost 30 people in the podfic fandom posted pictures of themselves for this meme. Most of which were retweeted on @podfic, a podfic retweet account, which helped spread the popularity of the meme.@greedydancer @kalakiryaThere was! Most of the pics have been RTed on @podfic or can be seen on #podfictits :P by paraka, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015)
thumb|paraka's 2013 #podfictits picture
==2015==
The idea of #podfictits remained in the mind of those who participated and/or watched it unfold, and there were multiple mentions and hopes for revivals in the tag on twitter after January 2013#podfictits tag on twitter from February 2013 to October 21, 2015 (Accessed October 24, 2015), however it wasn't until October 22, 2015 that new pictures for the meme were taken. 
Dodificus, jenepod, and paraka, the hosts of the Auralphonic podcast, were discussing potential embarrassing topics for future episodes on twitter, when dodificus joked about doing a naked Youtube episode.@ParakaPodfic Yes. Yes, you do. #NakedYouTubeEpNext by auralphonic, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) Paraka responded saying, "Look, I'll [do] #podfictits but naked video is a step too far. :P" @auralphonic Look, I'll to #podfictits but naked video is a step too far. :P by paraka, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) This, in itself, wasn't unusual and follows the pattern of the mentions that had occurred since the 2013 meme, however then miss_marina95 asked "ARE WE BRINGING #podfictits BACK??"@ParakaPodfic @auralphonic ARE WE BRINGING #podfictits BACK?? by miss_marina95, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) and paraka responded with a #podfictits picture.@miss_marina95 JUST FOR YOU JESS, YOU AND THE INTERNET #podfictits @auralphonic @thriceandonce pic.twitter.com/0FLulOgGJs by paraka, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015)
This round of #podfictits was slower to take off, but those who remembered it were quick to jump in and share their excitement.@miss_marina95 @ParakaPodfic @auralphonic YESSSSSSS by thriceandonce, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015)Since I am partially to blame for the resurrection of #podfictits, I will def participate! by miss_marina95, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015)I love it whenever #podfictits makes a comeback <3 by cantarina, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) Over the next day a number of podficcers posted classic #podfictits-style pictures, and those who had missed the first round of the hashtag were confused and asked for explanations,Why am I only just discovering that #podfictits was a thing? by IV0611, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015)Okay got an AMA for @auralphonic #podfictits ???? by skyunicorn4257, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) receiving a variety of answers, some more accurate than others.twitter thread between psuedonymic explaining the history of #podfictits with inaccuracies, October 23, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) 
thumb|miss_marina95's 2015 #podfictits picture 
The 2015 round brought new elements to the meme. First was the addition of alternative interpretations of the meme, such as joke pictures that followed the name/theme of the tag, but used pictures of the species of birds called tits, rather than a human model.@auralphonic @Rjcreighton Be careful what you wish for. ^_~ #podfictits #PodficTitsRedux pic.twitter.com/peNDvxVEZt by iv0611, October 22, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015)RT @adistantsolare: The closest I will ever get to #podfictits by adistantsolare, October 23, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) Exmanhater joked that she could post "the waveform of the sound my tits make when I take off my bra."I can't participate in #podfictits the traditional way, but what if I posted the waveform of the sound my tits make when I take off my bra? by exmanhater, October 23, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) These alternative interpretations were made both as a joke, but also so those who were too nervous to post pictures of themselves to the internet could participate. 
IV0611 also created an award, which she dubbed the Alpha Award after hearing the origins of the meme.@bessyboo It's like you're up for an award or something.:p @Hananobira @kalakirya @Jenepel @ParakaPodfic #podfictits pic.twitter.com/iKQQu45gyw by iv0611, October , 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015) The title comes from the supposed battle to be alpha between bessyboo and paraka, and was awarded to bessyboo for posting the original 2012 #podfictits picture. After others expressed interest in receiving #podfictits awards, iv0611 started the process of defining new ones, but further awards did not come to fruition. 
 
==#podfictitsduel==
After the October 2015 revival of the #podfictits hashtag, paraka mentioned the hashtag and its history in the November 2015 episode of the Auralphonic podcast. While explaining paraka said: 
On December 19, 2015 bessyboo tweeted: 
Paraka named miss_marina95 as her second. @bessyboo I call on @miss_marina95 as my second. How specific do you want the time? By the end of the weekend? by paraka, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016) while bessyboo named reena_jenkins as hers..@ParakaPodfic this is definitely doable. I name @reenajenkins as my second. by bessyboo, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016) Due to the fact that December is a busy time for podficcers due to ITPE, they set the date for the duel as "Before the end of 2015?" @bessyboo Before the end of 2015? by paraka, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016) 
As commentary spread through podfic twitter, IV0611 commented that talk of duels reminded her of the song 10 Duel Commandments from Hamilton.Did the Hamilton OST just start running through anyone else's head again or is it just me? #10DuelCommandments #PodficTitsDuel by iv0611, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016) This eventually lead to LadyofMisrule using some of iv0611 changed lyrics and writing a number of filkDueling #podfictits by iv0611, LadyofMisrule, December 20, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016) based on songs from the Hamilton's original sound track casting bessyboo as Alexander Hamilton, paraka as General Lee, miss_marina95 as Aaron Burr, iv0611 as George Washington, and yue_xi as Marquis de Lafayette, though the parts weren't always translated directly. There are also 2 songs that do not name specific podficcers for the parts. There was talk of recording the filk, Guys. Guys we’re recording this, right @ParakaPodfic @reenajenkins @miss_marina95 @iv0611 by bessyboo, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016)@reenajenkins @bessyboo @ParakaPodfic @miss_marina95 Can't right now, but ok? When/how are we doing this? I can take care of the cover. by iv0611, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016)@bessyboo I'm down for it. :P @reenajenkins @miss_marina95 @iv0611 by paraka, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016) but no such recording has been released. The filk also prompted many podficcers and podfic listeners to start changing lines in Hamilton songs to fit the duel and podfic fandom.Storify. #podfictitsduel, December 19, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016)
The duel came to an end on January 1st, 2016 when it was decided that by both bessyboo and paraka showing up with boob picturestweet with picture by bessyboo, December 31, 2015. (Accessed May 8, 2016)tweet with picture by paraka, January 1, 2016. (Accessed May 8, 2016)tweet with pictures by paraka, January 1, 2016. (Accessed May 8, 2016)tweet with pictures by paraka, January 1, 2016. (Accessed May 8, 2016) their honours' were restored and no winner was officially declared,@bessyboo @iv0611 I think we could treat the duel as one of those things that allows up both to step away with our honour intact? :P by paraka, January 1, 2016. (Accessed May 8, 2016) though bessyboo argued that since paraka missed the official "by the end of 2015" deadline, bessyboo should be declared winner.@ParakaPodfic @iv0611 lmao XD I mean, technically, I'm the only one who made the deadline (ijs) by bessyboo, January 2, 2016. (Accessed May 8, 2016) Dodificus suggested that bessyboo won for best styling and paraka won for best bra.I think @ParakaPodfic won for best bra but @bessyboo won for best styling #AustralianJudge #podfictitsduel by dodificus, January 1, 2016. (Accessed May 8, 2016)
==Reactions==
When a picture is posted the direct responses are flattering and encouraging. Overall the reactions to #podfictits as a meme have been positive. Most have fun playing with the concept and enjoy admiring the pictures, commenting that podfic fandom has nice cleavage. I did not realize that beautiful cleavage and the desire to create #podfic apparently are genetically related traits #podfictits by akikotree, October 23, 2015. (Accessed October 24, 2015)
Some joked that they seemed to be missing the point @Hananobira Of all the #podfictits tweets, this was by far the most interesting to me, because STATISTICS. \o/ I might be a bit odd. by alexwlchan, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) since they were distracted by things other than breasts; #podfictits gave a unique opportunity to see which mics various podficcers used,lol I am missing the point of #podfictits I'm drawn to the mics first! #ooooh #SoDifferent by lunchee, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) even commenting that it sparked a sense of closeness to see others using the same mic as them.weirdly i am having belonging-feels seeing all the snowball mics <3 #podfictits by jinjurly, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) Others felt that they wish something more permanent could be done with the pictures, such as a calendarCackling at #podfictits. Y'all should make a calendar next time fandom does fundraising. by milkbutnotsugar, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) or art show.@inkjunket I feel like #podfictits should be an art show. So many awesome compositions. Like the black juxtaposed with the shiny mic v.nice by rhea314, January 4, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015)
The meme also gained some negative attention. For some seeing people's bodies on display and being invited to join in, left them with feelings of anxiety,IF I HAD ANYTHING OTHER THAN SPORTS BRAS, I WOULD DO A #PODFICTITS SHOT. I AM THROWING MY SOCIAL ANXIETY AND PRIVACY TO THE WIND by vassalady, January 3, 2013. (Accessed October 24, 2015) or shyness. At least one person commented on the objectifying nature of the pictures and their discomfort with the fact that faces were cut off, leaving the focus on breasts. Others were left nervous of reading their feed in public, due to the NSFW aspect of the meme. Overall though, the negative reactions were few and not very vocal.
There were also privacy concerns from some who participated. Due to the nature of the pictures, some participants locked their twitter accounts to limit the audience. A few people even chose to delete their picture once the meme had died down. At least one participant created a separate, locked twitter so they could post their picture. 
==References==
Category:Podfic Fandom
Category:2012 Memes
Category:Twitter