By: Nadja Alexandra
I know, I know. Why write about memes? Take this article with a grain of salt, give it a shot. We’ve all seen them, in fact we enjoy them on a day to day basis. There’s not much thought that comes into the reposting and liking of memes especially in an era now wherein content can be seen and forgotten all in the span of seconds. But let’s take this small second of daily life and break it down in order to understand why it is actually such a prominent piece of our culture.
There are many arguments regarding its origins as well as its true definition. In fact, the entire concept of meme culture can be very hard to explain. That is because a meme usually comes from a previous source or an original source from multiple alterations back. In order to understand a meme, one must understand its context. Essentially it is the taking of a concept or idea, transforming it, sharing it and repeating the cycle with different elements added by different people of certain communities on the internet. More specifically, it is imagery and videos. Even more specifically, it is humor. Though when it began may vary from person to person, it can be agreed that it began shortly after the internet was put into wide spread use; which is to say the 90s.
Memes can be considered easily accessible 21st century satire. Not too smart for the general public to get bored but just smart enough to carry an idea. In fact, it is most prominent in Millennials and Gen Z kids. This could be because these two generations grew up when the internet was in its most prominent phase and where it had been around for longer. The internet isn’t anything new; it is simply another element of life in which they have to adapt to. Much like how a father in an old cartoon would look through a newspaper at breakfast, people scroll through Instagram while in line at Starbucks. Memes are quick, easy and funny. It’s a means of communication. If we find a meme funny, we share it to a friend who shares it to another friend who shares it to another and so on and so forth.
We are a generation who uses humour as a means of direct communication. We are able to freely speak up about politics and use memes as a means of sharing our ideas quickly and effectively. They hold more power than most political speeches, they touch more people than they do the words of a politician. People get offended by memes, that shows its strength. It is strong enough to contain an idea with enough weight to actually hurt someone. Sometimes they’re just for a stupid laugh but other times, in fact most times, they spread ideas, thoughts and opinions. Much like the satirical plays in ancient Greece.
Are memes really the stupid thing we chuckle at before double tapping and scrolling by? Is it a complex cultural network of information exchange amongst the younger generation? Or is it one big inside joke between people on the internet who are just bored? Is this article alone already a meme? That’s the beauty of memes, anything can be culturally significant. A picture of a piece of bread, if liked and shared enough, can be a meme. It can become a piece of our culture and it all depends on us as viewers. This is because Millennial and Gen Z culture is so fresh and so new that it is incredibly receptive to change. Thanks to the internet, we all have a hand in shaping our own culture. It all depends on a double tap and repost.
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