This semester we looked at things that we love. This covered comics, music, movies, celebrities, and more. We analyzed specific characters in these categories and how their story impacts society. I particularly enjoyed reading about Ms. Marvel and Katniss, in the Hunger Games, because they were relatable. They weren’t perfect, nor rich, and they accepted themselves. Similarly, I looked at memes were honest, critical, but also gave us some hope (and a good laugh).
For my project, I examined the evolution of memes and how they played a role in our society. Analyzing memes may seem like a pointless assignment but they have become a staple in communication for young adults. Memes utilize text and speech to add a new dimension to social interactions. The choice of these mediums is critical to understanding the intended message. Grundlingh argues (“Memes as Speech Acts”, 2018) “with memes, the choice of resource and the social context in which the meme is interpreted are central to successful communication since communicating through memes is dependent on the addressee understanding why.” We will see how this is applicable in memes that are political, self-critical, and just make us feel good.
Memes have affected the way youth organize. One example of this is viral dances, including the flash mob trends earlier this decade. In my project I looked at how memes organized politically and exposed some failures in our president. The meme that demonstrated this best was the “mocking SpongeBob” crossover with our president Donald Trump; and it all came from one Tweet.
The mocking meme corresponds to the way many feel President Trump has handled his presidency. The mocking Trump image creates a satire persona for the president and the text written in both uppercase and lowercase showcases the immaturity we see in our highest office.
We also see how memes can comment on the future that politicians create for us. Young adults are constantly criticized for not being self-sufficient, but without the proper tools they are often left without options. Memes are a healthy way to express frustration and band together.
Memes are honest. They did not hold back self-criticism. This was particularly evident through the “evil Kermit” memes. “Evil Kermit” memes expose some weaknesses in our own lives. This reminded me of Roxanne’s principles. “Evil Kermit” reveals those moments when we know what the right thing to do is socially or politically, yet we simply choose to enjoy the moments for what they are. It is clear that we all have a little “evil Kermit” personality within us.
Memes show us our dark side but being aware is the first step to overcome these shortcomings. They present these qualities in ourselves in a non-threatening sarcastic method.
Finally, memes let us relive our childhood. A time that was filled with innocence and less complicated issues. It is a common state that most of us can relate to and can enjoy for the moment. This is evident through the types of memes that are used. SpongeBoB, Kermit the Frog, and Arthur are all staples of childhood. Using our childhood and memes as a medium we can make the world a better place.
References:
Grundlingh, L. “Memes as Speech Acts.” Social Semiotics, vol. 28, no. 2, 2018, pp. 147.
The Evolution of Memes 