“Storm Area 51: The Unveiled account of Netflix’s Documentary ‘Messy'”
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Storm Area 51, a 2019 Facebook event, that has been recounted in a Netflix series ‘Trainwreck: Storm Area 51’ is making waves. Initiated by 20-year-old, Matty Roberts from Bakersville, Calif., as a joke, it spiraled into a viral sensation. Roberts labeled the event as the “ultimate sh—post,” titled ‘Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us’. The virtual raid attracted over two million RSVPs to raid the secretive U.S. air base and later became the focal point of Netflix’s Trainwreck series which aired on July 29.
Roberts revealed in the documentary that the inspiration for creating the event struck him while bored at work. One listener even for swag, from a comment in Joe Rogan’s podcast inspired him. The event aimed to gather every internet ‘fool’ at Area 51. The event’s magnetism extended beyond alien believers and internet content creators, sparking interest from the government, late-night shows, and celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Lizzo.
Arranged for September 20, 2019, at 3 a.m., Storm Area 51 almost turned into a reality. Before the event took place, Roberts found himself facing the FBI at his doorstep, fearing consequences. The military was on high alert, with Colonel Cavan Craddock stressing the potential threats and the need for a heightened defense around the base. Authorities spent an estimated $11 million on additional security measures to counter any potential breach.
Following the overwhelming RSVPs, Roberts reportedly decided to host ‘Alienstock’ in Rachel, Nev., near Area 51, that later turned into an ‘Area 51 Celebration’ in downtown Las Vegas sponsored by Bud Light that attracted thousands of attendees. However, the expected storming of the gates never came to fruition, with only about a hundred individuals showing up at Area 51 gates, without any substantial incidents, confirming it as more of a joke than a serious threat.
After making some profit selling Storm Area 51 T-shirts at the Area 51 Celebration, Matty Roberts returned to his routine at a vape kiosk in Bakersville. The aftermath of the event brings to light the cost and far-reaching impact of a simple social media joke turning into a potential security hazard. The Storm Area 51 event serves as a reminder of the power of social media to mobilize masses, even if it is for a seemingly absurd purpose.