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A new trend has emerged involving “shipping” Mangione with Dr Ally Louks, a Cambridge University academic who gained viral fame for her groundbreaking thesis on “Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose.”
Her response endeared her to users, who called her reaction ”wholesome”. (Photo Credits: X)
The internet is abuzz with the curious case of Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, earlier this month. Mangione, a software engineer, has gained unprecedented fame, as memes, viral posts, and social media campaigns surrounding him dominate online conversations.
Mangione was arrested last week after the tragic murder that sent shockwaves through corporate and public spheres. While his legal troubles mount, his social media presence has taken an unexpected turn, with users circulating old photos and posts from his accounts. Some internet users have even started campaigns calling for his release, sparking debates over the ethics of turning criminal suspects into viral sensations.
Adding a bizarre twist, a new trend has emerged involving “shipping” Mangione with Dr Ally Louks, a Cambridge University academic who gained viral fame for her groundbreaking thesis on “Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose.” Social media users have flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with posts humorously pairing the two, even creating fictional narratives about their supposed connection.
I saw a bunch of tweets shipping me with Luigi and I thought y’all meant the character from Mario 😭— Dr Ally Louks (@DrAllyLouks) December 11, 2024
One viral post featured side-by-side photos of Louks and Mangione with the caption, “I ship them.” Louks, initially confused by the trend, responded in good humour, admitting she misunderstood the reference. “I thought y’all meant the character from Mario,” she joked, referencing Luigi from the popular Nintendo game franchise.
Her response endeared her to users, who called her reaction “wholesome.” Some posts imagined elaborate scenarios, with one user writing, “She was a PhD student living a peaceful life, but fate brought her to New York, where she encountered a young Italian man with many secrets. What could happen between them?”
Another user commented, “No one could have predicted how this month would turn out for you!” while others suggested Louks should start her podcast, given the viral attention.
Despite the humorous tone of the online discussions, critics have raised concerns about the ethics of romanticising or trivialising serious criminal cases. Mangione, now a central figure in an ongoing legal investigation, remains in custody, while his online fame continues to grow.
As the case unfolds, the internet’s fascination with Mangione and its surprising intersections with academia shows the unpredictable nature of social media virality.
