4 ms·
This headline made me think about the power of internet memes in our modern times. You can meme a shitcoin into billions of real USD, and you can meme a man in
by consumer451 2y ago
This headline made me think about the power of internet memes in our modern times.
You can meme a shitcoin into billions of real USD, and you can meme a man into the Presidency of the USA.
That is real power.
- ClumsyPilot 2y agoMemes were always very powerful, the most popular meme just turned 2024 years old
- consumer451 2y agoI was thinking of these things as well, but was thinking how just one person, with one image and a caption can do so much today with internet amplification. However, I suppose historical memes also started with just one person. But, the amplification took much more time. I mean, computers gave us individual productivity gains. Sometimes, the productivity just sucks.
- snapcaster 2y ago1414 years old by my count but generally agree
- FartyMcFarter 2y agoNot according to this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups#Largest_religious_groups https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_religious_groups#Largest...
- falcor84 2y agoDo explain
- quesera 2y ago"Internet meme" is just the current label and form for "Simple, appealing, opinionated messaging". It's always been a thing.
- consumer451 2y agoYes, but the reason that I included the word "internet" was to indicate the virus-like reach a single person can have, and now just in hours.
- quesera 2y agoTrue, in the past your compelling messaging would be filtered by multiple layers of delivery and effort, reinterpretation, etc. Now your message can be worldwide before the first reader has time to form an thoughtful opinion.
- slimsag 2y ago'can have' is doing a lot of lifting. If me or you want to make a meme go viral, we likely cant do that, as proven by the overwhelming amount of people who try to make things go viral on a daily basis and fail to do so. Overwhelmingly, most people do not have that power. It needs to be such a simple, obvious message that resonates with everyone to a point they themselves are encouraged to share it. It needs to pass the over-the-shoulder test, where someone simply glancing over your shoulder and seeing it can understand what it is and get value from it. The author's intent doesn't matter, really, they don't have control over it at all. It is simply stumbling by accident into a message that /already/ resonates with a vast majority of people. Which is why it tends to be extraordinarily simple things like a 'cute/funny dog', a distracted boyfriend, a pop culture reference, etc.
- raxxorraxor 2y agoIt is more of a runaway experiment than real power though. You might end up with power if you accidentally get elected president of the US for example, could happen to everyone, but the memers are just throwing chaos at more chaos. With often entertaining or explosive results.
- ganzuul 2y agoIt is good evidence against a conspiracy like the Illuminati, but also a cold shower wake-up that nobody is truly in control.
- peoplefromibiza 2y agoprobably relevant "Dangerous memes | Daniel Dennett" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzGjEkp772s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzGjEkp772s
- pfdietz 2y agoWhen I read a history mentioning the "Doge of Venice" I now get a very odd image.
- consumer451 2y agoThanks for this, never knew. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge_of_Venice https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doge_of_Venice