The Controversy of Memes
meme
/mēm/
noun
plural noun: memes
- an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by non-genetic means, especially imitation.
- a humorous image, video, piece of text, etc., that is copied (often with slight variations) and spread rapidly by Internet users.
Memes have taken off over the past few years among social media and internet users, most common in teens and young adults. They are a humorous way for teens across the world to connect over something and are taken light heartedly. However, recently, shock humor is a big category of memes which is in many cases, very or shockingly offensive. The intentions are to bring light of a situation or "make fun of it" however some go overboard and get people in trouble. Two years ago, ten incoming Harvard freshmen had their acceptances revoked for posting violent, racist, and sexist memes. They were all in a Harvard Class of 2021 Facebook group chat named, "Harvard memes for horny bourgeois teens" then some people from that chat created a separate "Dark memes" chat where they shared their shockingly offensive creations. They shared memes that consisted of making light of child abuse, the Holocaust, sexual assault, and minority groups. Harvard students are not the only ones making these offensive memes, they are all too popular and mainstream. Memes are intended for humor and should be used correctly, not intending to demean anyone or any group of people.
Fun fact - did you know that there is a social science called Memeology. It's basically the study of how ideas are spread. There has also been talked that the standard "memes" that we all see should really be called "temes" because they are "technological memes."
ReplyDeleteMemes have become a huge part of not only teenage culture but humans in general as my parents attempt to show me their corny memes as well. Its important to acknowledge the problematic use of memes in a passive aggressive/ in a way to attack ideas and people as they have been used just like you described. Memes can be a source of laughter and way to socialize with other people.
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