Why memes are the ultimate Gen-Z literary agent
Gen Z communicates through the visual language of comedy, sarcasm, and common experiences. And so, memes are Gen Z's preferred medium for communication
Memes—giggles and chuckles galore! They are whimsical flashes of online absurdity that sprinkle our feeds and light up our group chats! But memes are like delightful little nuggets of humour wrapped in clever captions. They are the ultimate literary wizards of Gen-Z, capturing the spirit of the times in ways that old-school literature just cannot touch.
So, what in the world are memes anyway? At their core, memes are like little nuggets of cultural gold that float around the internet, changing and morphing as they go, all thanks to the playful imitations and creativity of the creator. They could be pictures, clips, words, or even just a spark of an idea that dances around and gets a fun makeover online.
This idea, taken from the wild world of evolutionary biology, hilariously captures how memes do their funky dance: they twist, twirl, and mingle, always adjusting to the zany and shifting vibes of online culture.
The explosion of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram created the perfect playground for memes to bounce around and thrive. The super simple sharing, the web of online buddies, and those clever algorithms that love to spotlight the most entertaining stuff all played a part in the sky-high ascent of memes.
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Gen Z communicates through the visual language of comedy, sarcasm, and common experiences. Because of their emphasis on comedy, relatability, and authenticity, as well as their extremely compact style, memes are Gen Z's preferred medium.
Also, they are a great way to capture the transient character of online culture. They are visuals of our collective consciousness, expressing our fears, joys, and frustrations with remarkable speed and accuracy to build deep relationships with peers and companies. This generation appreciates distinctive, customised content that speaks to their varied personalities and societal issues.
Think about this: memes are the modern equivalent of thought and expression forms like Shakespearean sonnets, hieroglyphics, and even old cave paintings, even though the comparison is about a mode of expression rather than the same skill sets. They tell stories, convey emotions, and offer social commentary all within a few seconds.
A dog's focused gaze on a banana might be interpreted in a thousand different ways, leading to conversations on materialism, nihilism, or the ridiculousness of contemporary life. Memes are effective instruments for social change in addition to being entertaining. They often magnify minority voices, challenge established conventions, and spark vital conversations.
From promoting diversity and inclusivity to drawing attention to political issues, memes have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in energising virtual communities and generating tangible effects.
Take, for instance, the rise of 'cancel culture.' These memes could make an individual or even an organisation liable for their actions and disrepute. Memes travel fast over media and polarise voices or create a sense of anger toward an issue toward which one would probably push for a change.
However, it is said about memes that all of them are not created equally; some are thoughtless diversions, while some support negative stereotypes and distribute falsehoods.
In their best forms, however, memes represent the creativity, wit, and political engagement of Generation Z. They showcase our amazing capacity to find laughter in the darkest of times and use humour as a weapon for social and political change. Therefore, don't write off memes as being unimportant the next time you come across them. Acknowledge it for what it is: a potent literary medium, a glimpse into a generation's spirit, and evidence of the timeless appeal of comedy in the digital age.
Dr Syed Far Abid Hossain is a faculty at the BRAC Business School, BRAC University, Dhaka.
Tahsin Raysha Mallik is a student of the BRAC Business School, BRAC University, Dhaka.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
