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Author Topic: Shareable Images versus Memes  (Read 3389 times)

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Offline Jonathon

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Shareable Images versus Memes
« on: January 23, 2015, 12:28:39 PM »
Some of my old coworkers at the Church are having a debate. The Church keeps using the term "meme" to refer to shareable images with inspirational quotes on them, and my former coworkers hate it, because those aren't really memes. I'm having a hard time defining exactly what a meme is, though, and an even harder time coming up for an alternative name for these non-meme images.

I think memes can be things other than text on images, but the ones that are are more than just text on images, if that makes sense. For one thing, they're usually organic—manufactured memes aren't really memes, I think. And real memes are usually sort of templatized catchphrases or cultural references that can be used in a variety of situations.

The real question, though, is whether it's worth it to try to get the Church to change its usage. Maybe this usage bugs the more internet-savvy members, but I think we're in the minority.
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Offline Jonathon

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2015, 12:53:42 PM »
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Offline Tante Shvester

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2015, 01:30:22 PM »
That's not what I'd call a meme.  It doesn't bother me that they want to, though.
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Offline rivka

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2015, 02:40:30 PM »
Quote from: Tante Shvester on January 23, 2015, 01:30:22 PM
That's not what I'd call a meme.
Ditto. Inspirational posters, or inspirational images, maybe?
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Offline Keith

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2015, 03:44:14 PM »
I don't really even agree with calling the-stuff-you-are-calling-memes memes.  I'm okay with the long form "internet memes", but I think it's a shame that the original/broader meaning of meme is mostly obscured by associations with crappy art from 4 chan.
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Offline dkw

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2015, 06:48:24 PM »
I think I agree with you, but I think it's a losing battle.  The lexical ship has sailed.
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Offline Keith

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2015, 07:21:18 PM »
I think you are correct.
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Offline Porter

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2015, 11:35:54 PM »
Quote
For one thing, they're usually organic—manufactured memes aren't really memes, I think.
I don't know what this really means.  All memes are manufactured.

One thing that makes memes memes, as the term is generally used, is that they comes in a group or series, with variations between them.  A single image with text on it is not a meme.

Quote
I don't really even agree with calling the-stuff-you-are-calling-memes memes.  I'm okay with the long form "internet memes", but I think it's a shame that the original/broader meaning of meme is mostly obscured by associations with crappy art from 4 chan.
  I agree.  The original coining of 'meme' was an extremely useful one that we have now lost.
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Offline Jonathon

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2015, 09:17:06 AM »
Quote from: Porter on January 23, 2015, 11:35:54 PM
Quote
For one thing, they're usually organic—manufactured memes aren't really memes, I think.
I don't know what this really means.  All memes are manufactured.

I mean that I think there's a difference between people coming up with image macros on their own and a company or organization making them and then telling people, "Here, share these."

Quote
One thing that makes memes memes, as the term is generally used, is that they comes in a group or series, with variations between them.  A single image with text on it is not a meme.

Quote
I don't really even agree with calling the-stuff-you-are-calling-memes memes.  I'm okay with the long form "internet memes", but I think it's a shame that the original/broader meaning of meme is mostly obscured by associations with crappy art from 4 chan.
  I agree.  The original coining of 'meme' was an extremely useful one that we have now lost.

Yeah, good point. But even if the word has already changed considerably, I still see a big difference between the kind of image that I linked to above and a picture of Fry saying "Shut up and take my money!" But I agree that even hanging on to that meaning is a losing battle.
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Offline Porter

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2015, 09:30:09 AM »
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I mean that I think there's a difference between people coming up with image macros on their own and a company or organization making them and then telling people, "Here, share these."
Ah.  Yeah, I agree with that.
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Offline pooka

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2015, 07:21:54 AM »
They have literally decimated the definition of meme.
P.S.  They're mormonads, anyway.
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Offline pooka

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2015, 07:26:27 AM »
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The real question, though, is whether it's worth it to try to get the Church to change its usage.
Probably not.
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Offline Farmgirl

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2015, 07:06:04 PM »
I think my concept of a "meme" is something that gains internet popularity.  I mean, I can make all kinds of posters with words on them, but unless they go viral on the internet, and someone starts making spoofs of them with other words, I don't think I'd consider them a meme

and I don't think the church would want people taking their image and putting other words on it, either..
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Offline Jonathon

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Re: Shareable Images versus Memes
« Reply #13 on: March 03, 2015, 07:24:26 PM »
Quote from: Farmgirl on March 03, 2015, 07:06:04 PM
I think my concept of a "meme" is something that gains internet popularity.  I mean, I can make all kinds of posters with words on them, but unless they go viral on the internet, and someone starts making spoofs of them with other words, I don't think I'd consider them a meme

and I don't think the church would want people taking their image and putting other words on it, either..

Agreed. I think there has to be some element of virality and modifiability, which is two strikes against the premade image macros.
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