| The Idea: The WIRED Guide to Memes opens with the thought that, "Memes and the internet—they're made for each other. Not because they’re digital visual communication (though of course, they are that), but because they are the product of a hive mind. They are the shorthand of a hyper-connected group thinking in unison. And, friends, the web hive mind is a weird (often funny, sometimes dangerous) place." Why This Is Meaningful: Memes are dangerous because they rely on the assumption of shared culture - that you and I value similar things. Memes can spark constructive debate between |  |
cultural groups (like with the "You Might Be Lutheran..." memes that powered the #DecolonizeLutheranism movement). But, more often than not they are simply spread between like-minded people. That does not help the information and media silos we are building for ourselves.
Memes are also dangerous because they are supposed to be funny. Humor always pushes on the boundaries of what is and is not acceptable. Of course, "acceptable" is also often a matter of culture and what is funny to one group can be horribly offense to another.
A "good" meme is thick with cultural assumptions and humor that you may not completely understand before you share it. For example, in April of this year, actor James Woods shared a meme of the Christchurch shooting suspect in Clown Pepe/Honkler makeup with left-leaning clown and activist Lil Lunchbox and the caption "War! #ClownLady". It is not clear that Mr. Wood really understood that he was spreading and endorsing two symbols of hatred, White Nationalism, etc., or if he understood that he was positively spreading the legend of the shooter.
Memes are also dangerous because they are supposed to be funny. Humor always pushes on the boundaries of what is and is not acceptable. Of course, "acceptable" is also often a matter of culture and what is funny to one group can be horribly offense to another.
A "good" meme is thick with cultural assumptions and humor that you may not completely understand before you share it. For example, in April of this year, actor James Woods shared a meme of the Christchurch shooting suspect in Clown Pepe/Honkler makeup with left-leaning clown and activist Lil Lunchbox and the caption "War! #ClownLady". It is not clear that Mr. Wood really understood that he was spreading and endorsing two symbols of hatred, White Nationalism, etc., or if he understood that he was positively spreading the legend of the shooter.
