4 ms·
Or you could expand your information bubble to see memes that aren't image macros
by okareaman 6y ago
Or you could expand your information bubble to see memes that aren't image macros
- RosanaAnaDana 6y agoMost appropriately: ¿Porque no los dos? I read the selfish gene back in 2006-7 ish, and I think that both the modern conception of meme and the original presentation of the idea fit rather nicely together and aren't contradictory. The more technical definition is broader, but non-exclusionary to the common usage. I think most people understand that the idea of meme goes beyond image macros: abusively quoting a moving to the point its devoid of meaning ('your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elderberries'); cats (looking at you ancient Egypt); fart jokes (medieval art). Memes that people call memes are memes. And some people recognize things more broadly and also call those memes. The definitions are nested and non-exclusionary, which is rather convenient.
- cjohansson 6y agoI think meme is such a complex concept nowadays that anything can be a meme, the word has almost no meaning at all
- ziml77 6y agoHappens a lot with popular words. People use them in slightly broader and broader contexts until eventually the word can no longer communicate an idea as precise as it initially could. Now that I think about it, I wonder if that's why writers like to use words that are uncommon in general conversation. Since they're not used casually, they haven't been watered down and thus do a better job of getting ideas across to the reader.
- jghn 6y agoIf you say "meme" to an average person on the street they're going to be picturing a goofy gif, not the work of Dawkins and Blackmore. That's my point.
- nailer 6y agoSure or videos or anything else, but those items are covered by the traditional edition of an idea that spreads virally rather than through formal publishing