Carl
Chen, a Sociologist at Yale University, conducted an in-depth analysis in
regards to the wide-spread popularity of memes entitled, “The Creation and Meaning
of Internet Memes in 4chan: Popular Internet Culture in the Age of Online Digital
Reproduction,” from the view point of various theoretical approaches. But
before I dive in, I should first explain what 4chan is. 4chan is an imageboard
website where Internet users can post and discuss with full anonymity.
Literally ever user has the username, “Anonymous,” which, as you may have guessed,
gives people the utmost confidence to say whatever they want about anything
they want whilst receiving virtually no accountability or backlash. The website
was created by Christopher Poole circa 2003 when he was only 15-years-old. The
site has since grown to gigantic proportions and has served as the mother of
Internet memes. In this particular article, Chen uses 4chan as an example of a
site that promotes the production of Internet memes and creative control for
everyone.
There are two main differences of opinion in this study,
which stem from Jurgen Haberma’s idea of public spheres, derived from social
theories, and Dwight Macdonald’s theory of mass culture, specifically in
regards to Folk Art and Avant-Garde communities. Haberms’s stand is a pessimistic
one, explaining that through the public sphere lens, Internet memes create
conformity. Theodor Adorno agrees with Haberma’s view in the article, even
making a comparison of Internet memes to Nazi Germany: at one time conformity central.
I highly doubt Internet memes will force the people of our nation to walk and
talk in harmony, leading to eminent, negative repercussions. In fact, I believe
it does the exact opposite. Adorno fears that Internet memes promote standardization,
selfsameness, and the weakening of individual resistance due to the repeated
replication of one photo. Although Adorno is correct in saying memes are excessively
repeated, I have to disagree with his opinion that it could lead to
standardization because it sounds like it stems from paranoia and, as the
article mentioned, fear of fascism. Seemingly hinting that Internet memes could
lead to the ultimate demise and mass conformity of our nation is extremely
drastic and dramatic. Yes, memes are replicated hundreds, if not thousands of
times, but that doesn’t make them the same, it makes them beautifully
different. Each meme provokes a different reaction based on its word choice and
audience, which I think takes a large amount of creativity, wit, and uniqueness.
My
more positive opinion on Internet memes mirrors Macdonald’s, who shares an optimistic
point-of-view, which discusses a plethora of benefits that arise from the
prevalence of Internet memes. Aiding in Macdonald’s discussion is cultural
theorist Bernard Gendron, who explains that technology is not as constraining
as Adorno alludes to because it provides user-friendly templates, promotes creativity,
and is simple in some aspects. Clay Shirky, another noted cultural theorist,
also comes to Macdonald’s aid when he claims that we have entered into a “new
golden era,” meaning people have shifted from passive culture consumption to
active democratic culture production (e.g., people are capable of making their
own memes instead of someone doing it for them). Shirky claims this is a
benefit because people are now allowed to realize their greatest potential “through
the act of creation.” I also think this is a benefit because people are in
control of their own production and no longer have to look to large
corporations to think for them. The creativity is in their hands and the
possibilities are endless. Internet memes have taken over the Internet, this is
very true, however, it is not because
people are starting to lack in original thought, but rather becoming more
diverse.
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