Hot Wires

UNDERGROUND IN CYBERSPACE

All the technological sophistication in the world cannot refine the Internet's frat-house humor. Sick jokes don't grow up, they just get animated—or interactive. Witness joecartoon.com,a cult favorite best known for such classic short cartoons as "Frog in a Blender" and "Gerbil in the Microwave." Redmeat.com, a collection of comic strips endorsed by Matt Groening, combines simpler animation and an elevated perversity, and offers visitors the chance to write their own "fresh meat." At brunching.com, the Brunching Shuttlecocks have gone interactive—feed their Alanis Lyric Generator "one thing you really hate" and the name of an ex, and receive personalized whiny ballad lyrics. Not too many jokes at boxerjam.com,a glitzy game-show site, but lots of money (prizes up to $5,000), so who cares? And though they have games at a jokes and Top 10 lists. Ever wonder where Email forwards go to die?

ANNE FULENWIDER