Question Mark, Ohio

May 7, 2023 2:34 PM

Question Mark, Ohio is a new immersive internet mystery from Joe Meno and Dan Sinker that attempts to recapture the wonder of the early internet; follow along on Instagram as Violet Bookman investigates the case. More about the project here and here.
posted by carrienation (13 comments total)

This is so much fun! I have a special place in my heart for sinister mysteries curling their way into charming small towns, so I'll be following.
posted by mochapickle at 4:00 PM on May 7, 2023

Ms. Peterson's class has so much darkness, like on its schedule:

Wednesdays
12pm - Emotion rehearsal

Fridays
2pm - Loss Reflection

And from announcements:
5.03.23. Apparently Boo-boo, our classroom pet, disappeared yesterday. Unfortunately Boo-boo is the third pet we have lost this year.

4.29.23. I thought I saw the ghost of my younger brother walking down the hall yesterday.

4.22.23. Everyone had a wonderful time on our field trip to the state's 2nd largest garbage dump where we were all allowed to bring home a souvenir.

And this lesson: "Learning To Cry Online"
posted by doctornemo at 4:35 PM on May 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Thank you for this ARG, carrienation.
posted by doctornemo at 4:39 PM on May 7, 2023

And this, from the page on Vital Records:

Similarly, to request a death certificate, you will need to provide the full name of the individual listed on the certificate, the date of death, and the place of death. You will also need to provide a valid government-issued ID and pay a small fee for the certificate. Please note that just because a person is missing does not necessarily mean they are dead.
posted by mochapickle at 4:39 PM on May 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

I don’t know nothing about small town mysteries but Dan Sinker wrote:
And now all I can hear is that music, and suddenly everything just fucking...

And I wept, so I assume it will be good.
posted by Uncle at 5:35 PM on May 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

Not to be confused with Center of the World, Ohio.
posted by muchomas at 5:50 PM on May 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Mod note: Derail deleted. There's actually a Metatalk post addressing the Instagram issue now, so let's allow this thread to be about the project posted. (Here's a link that works for me for the violetinquestion IG account, via lalochezia in the metatalk thread).
posted by taz (staff) at 12:48 AM on May 8, 2023 [3 favorites]

Just an fyi for anyone thinking of following this via taz’s picuki link: that link won’t show you the majority of the comments, which are a large proportion of the meat of this project.
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 8:02 AM on May 8, 2023 [1 favorite]

And don't mistake it for Cornhedge, Ohio.
posted by doctornemo at 8:55 AM on May 8, 2023

Sincerely creepy moment: violetinquestion has followed me back on insta, and the story's new weekly email references this very thread.

Mayor Zisk has opinions about us.
posted by mochapickle at 9:31 AM on May 8, 2023 [6 favorites]

I am weirdly delighted by this new development.
posted by mochapickle at 9:34 AM on May 8, 2023

Thanks for the post, carrienation. I’ve been a real sucker for fake town based ARG’s since The Conversationalist/Hearty Hearth Kitchen.
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 12:10 PM on May 8, 2023

violetinquestion has followed me back on insta

Me too. I was surprised at first, but then I realized that that's what the character probably would do if someone had followed her on Instagram - follow back.
posted by Umami Dearest at 9:31 PM on May 8, 2023 [1 favorite]