Memes As A Form Of Self-expression
The 21st century way to communicate in a digital-heavy world
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We think in memes now. I don’t know how the rest of the world feels, but throughout lockdown memes were a coping mechanism as I fought endless boredom, and they provided me with a little bit of humour on otherwise dark days. Memes are everywhere you look - they’re shared between friends, your aunt probably posts memes on her facebook, and you have whole social media accounts that are now dedicated to posting and reposting memes. You don’t have to be an avid follower of one of these niche accounts to appreciate their humour, and it's easy to see how they’ve infiltrated our everyday life and shaped the chaotic world around us. I’m a firm believer that there really is a meme for everyone.Â
Definition of a meme: a meme is an idea, behaviour, or style that spreads by means of imitation from person to person within a culture and often carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme.
Memes are a powerful cultural phenomenon, the speed at which the internet has evolved has allowed memes to reflect the moods and emotions of the world we live in. A lot of meme humour is based on our shared knowledge and experiences, and we’ve adapted to allow this collective way of thinking to characterise situations we find hard to put into words. Troubling political landscapes, societal unrest, environmental disasters, stereotypes, misogyny, sexism - you name it, there's a meme for it. In a saturated social media landscape, memes are a quick and easy way for us to share our views and what we align with, offering a small glimpse into the inner-workings of our minds.
When we don't have the right words to say what we mean and mean what we say, expressing ourselves through memes is an easier way for us to communicate difficult emotions and troubling experiences. Memes not only help us articulate what's on our minds, they can also be informative and educational, as well as allowing us to work through deep thoughts, make sense of our fears, and express our personal goals and desires. Memes are a very 21st century form of self-expression, they now live beyond the digital realms of the internet.
Memes have taken over typical everyday language and now strengthen the way we interact with others. It could be argued that memes mirror real life, and are part of an ever-evolving transformation of human connection. As social norms have shifted to keep up with our online lives, meme culture has steadily influenced spheres beyond the world wide web.
Anyone can become a meme creator with a few clicks of a button, but as the world of memes flourishes, it becomes far more complex. Memes occupy a global stage and are no longer relegated to being an inside joke among friends, instead they now give us a comprehensive picture of the world at large. They serve as more than a source of a few chuckles, and can unite us at best, tearing us apart at worst. At times I live my life vicariously through memes, they’ve become far more important to me then I ever thought they could. Am I the only one?
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Catch you soon,
J’Nae
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- One of Barack Obama’s “Favorite Books of the Year '' in 2019, Lot by Bryan Washington is full of energy, wit, and a sarcastic streak. This is the story of a young Afro Latina man coming of age in a deprived area of Houston, grappling with his heritage and sexuality while he does so.Â
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