In the past few years, an Internet phenomenon that has developed is the use of memes.
An Internet meme is a form of distributing an idea or social concept, usually in a symbolic or highly recognized sense. These thoughts can be political, satirical, humor, social commentary, or offensive – in general, any types of ideas that someone sees as worth conveying.
A simple example would be the organization of letters in a word. Instead of “the,” Internet users would write “teh,” such as in the phrase for popular online game World of Warcraft, “for teh Horde.”
One of the biggest known followings of Internet memes is the genre of “LOLcats.” These memes are usually in the form of a photograph or video clip and display a feline exhibiting hilarious facial expressions or behavior. In a few words, the caption of the photograph will display the social concept, leaving video clips to speak for themselves.
And of all the domesticated pets, why cats? In essence, cats are a beautiful enigma. There is something perplexing about a 20-pound creature that can make people of all ages laugh and cry with such force that the only option is to press the share or replay button. In just one look, a feline has the ability to sum up every type of feeling possible about the world.
Users of networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube have probably come across a meme at some point. It poses the question as to how memes are regarded by the average student. For Shepherd University sophomore Sarah Little, the concept was new information.
“I’ve never even heard of that,” she said when asked and described the concept of memes. Interestingly enough, though, Little was able to relate to the online cat frenzy, which is just memes in various forms, meaning that memes have infiltrated into our culture even though some may not have an ability to recognize what they are. Little said, “I think there’s a big obsession with cats. I don’t know why, but all of a sudden everyone loves them.”
Recently, the Hasbro gaming company, creator of Monopoly, took an online survey to declare an updated piece. The choices were between a cat, robot, helicopter, guitar, or diamond ring. No surprise that the cat token won the survey. It will be replacing the iron in the original edition.
Having created a virtual monopoly in the hearts of Internet fans, cats have finally earned a right to pass go and collect $200.
The wide craze of “LOLcats” and the feline obsession can possibly be attributed to the overwhelming response for the cat token. Yet it is criticized that memes are nothing but negative creations.
However, in their biggest sense, memes are just an invented form of expression. Like any medium, they can be used for positive or negative means. Memes have the ability to convey wit and innocent comedic relief or offensive, damaging slurs.
The ingenuity behind capturing a clever thought in a real life photograph can provide a comedic necessary relief or can be used a tool for something else. A sharp wit is a great way to sway opinion, and some of the most interesting memes have something to say. Plus, in today’s world, it doesn’t hurt to have a laugh every once in a while.