On this episode, we interview Elsa from ElsaElsa.com, founder of the internet's "first Astrology Blog ever!"
Elsa truly exemplifies the role of the "outsider astrologer", which is high praise here on ROA. She has a free-spirit, free-mind and a very warm-heart. Despite the fact that she's one of the OG creators of the online astrology culture we all take for granted now, Elsa avoids petty elitism and conformity.
In this episode, Elsa reflects on how much the landscape has changed in the last two decades, not only for astrology but for independent websites and content creators.
She describes the struggles that are faced today in stark contrast to how things began....
Once Upon a Time, the internet was like the Wild West. Back in the late 90's, the internet was full of wide open spaces where freedom of speech could be exercised on uncensored forums. In search of good conversation with like-minded people, Elsa began engaging in some of these forums. She discovered that most people knew very little about astrology and found herself working overtime to fill in the gaps for aspiring students. Whether she was correcting misinformation or getting embroiled in hot debates with adversarial skeptics, Elsa discovered her passion for stimulating dialogues.
It was from the organic culture in these forums that ElsaElsa.com emerged. And to this day, her site still features a forum for astrological discussion. Twenty years ago, free and anonymous discussion was standard practice. But nowadays, this has become a rare luxury.
In 2024, the invasion of privacy and global surveillance has become normalized and legitimized. And now in the age of AI algorithms and social media, Elsa shares how challenging it has become to run her independent website.
Astrology has exploded in popularity on social media, but has also become "dumbed down" and redundant. In this conversation we explore many of the ethical and cultural issues of this time, including the fact that Big Tech is now using astrological data for nefarious purposes.
What will be the fate of astrology in the decades ahead? Will it be reduced to "data" and become a false binary that is used to oppress and discriminate? If so, how will "true" astrology find sanctuary and where will it be able to thrive?
We discuss all these things and much more. Enjoy!
You can find out more about Elsa and follow her astrology updates at her legendary website: https://elsaelsa.com/
Follow Frederick Woodruff on Substack: https://woodruff.substack.com/
Follow Rachel & Andrei by subscribing to Aeolian Heart Astrology: https://aeolianheart.com/subscribe-newsletter-free-horoscope/
- 00:27 Introduction
- 01:25 Once Upon a Time, the Internet was the Wild West: How Elsa Accidentally Founded the First Astrology Blog Ever!
- 03:33 Elsa's Unique Storytelling Style: Circle-K and Beyond
- 08:38 How Elsa's Grandfather Inspired Her Love for Astrology and Freedom of Thought
- 10:37 The Evolution of Online Astrology from Forums to Blogs
- 28:11 Why Big Tech Wants Your Astrology Data
- 34:33 Remembering AOL + How Rachel Discovered the FBI was Spying on Her
- 39:39 AI Dominance in Search Results
- 40:30 Video and the Post-Literate Age
- 42:00 Tech Dominance and the Future
- 46:55 Engagement vs. Entertainment
- 53:45 Andrei Compares AI Delusions to GHB
- 54:54 Elsa Critiques Late Stage Capitalism and Tech Fetishes
- 55:54 Frederick Discusses Scarlett Johansson and AI Ethics
- 58:41 Historical Perspective on Pluto's Influence
- 01:05:58 Battling the Algorithm: Elsa's Website in 2024
- 01:12:48 Astrology's Return to Underground Subcultures
- 01:19:23 Elsa Describes He
