cmf200memeteam-blog - Tumblr blog

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This is my Uncle Paul, who is a city councilor for Ward 10 here in Windsor. He got meme’d in the summer for claiming that moving the farmers market was his idea. Personally, I think it is hilarious. He has yet to comment. 

-Frankie

I think this really demonstrates the need for context when deriving meaning (or meme-ing, haha) from memes. 

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This meme as a dialogue speaks to US Foreign policy of intervention, which, unfortunately results in economic and social destabilization of once sovereign nations. For example, US efforts to bring "democracy" to the Middle East, Amero-centric policies have destabilized many economies, destroyed cultural practices and implemented a pro-American economic and political system resulting in continued violence, and even civil war.

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This site shows the expansive definition of what a meme can present itself as. From viewing this post, it becomes evident that a meme is not simply a photo with text, but rather a way of sharing meaning in a digital sphere. Memes are not described by a small definition because they are constantly developing and changing. 

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“The format of the poster, which was relatively easy to Photoshop, quickly became popular in Bernie Sanders meme groups like the Facebook group Bernie Sanders’ Dank Meme Stash, which has over 79,000 members. While some members posted the original posters from ObviousPlant, others created their own versions by filling in new topics and generating new answers for the candidates. In the Facebook group alone, some of the most popular of these edits gained over 300 likes each, and were shared out of the group into general newsfeeds. In addition, many tweeted versions of the meme; an article on New York Magazine collected versions distributed on Twitter.”

-Knowyoumeme.com

This meme is interesting particularly because it is from before the primary elections - this meme series is very much in favour of Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton. 

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Memes, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, are humorous concepts that spread rapidly through the Internet and essentially function as an inside joke that a large number of internet users are “in on.” Usually the meme is an image, video, or piece of text that can be slightly altered to react to various circumstances. Traditionally, memes are created and shared mainly for entertainment but 2016 has brought us a genre of memes with a political purpose.

Emma Axelrod,The Role of Memes in Politics, The Brown Political Review

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As evidenced in social media practices, many people believe in sharing power and that by allowing others to view what you find relevant, you are promoting a positive message which will be heard. Clearly, memes are not a fool proof method of providing social change; yet, they are frequently found, giving “facts” to the citizens who promote them as a way of hearing what they want to hear.   One could also view this meme as overt sarcasm, essentially asking the viewer if posting a meme is effecting the change they desire to see.  Interpretation can be different dependent upon the individual's world-view, status, etc.

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An example of a culturally specific meme.  Although difficult to imagine, there are perhaps individuals unfamiliar with either Donald Trump's policies, or the physical appearance to Adolf Hitler.  This meme suggests Hitler would not find Trump's policy controversial, while at the same time inferring Trump is totalitarian in nature, and warning of future similar to the Germany of the 1940's.

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This simple photo demonstrates how easily North American citizens may be deceived by what they find on the internet. While this meme is not backed by any claim or references, the audience may find this believable simply because there was a percentage given. We believe that this is shows how deep the reliance on viral posts as fact has become.

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Overall, the playfulness seen in most of these online memes—whether absurdist or aimed at social commentary—taps into shared popular culture experiences and practices. This in turn helps to define certain affinity spaces (e.g., gamer spaces, photoshopper spaces, manga/anime spaces, left-leaning political spaces, “good” community member spaces, spaces created by fans of Asian popular cultures, blogger spaces) by semiotic nods and winks to those “in the know” as it were. “Outsiders” to these spaces will often have difficulty seeing the humor in or point to many of these memes.

http://literacyandtech.pbworks.com/f/Text.pdf#page=209