Knowing that you’re reading this article online, we’re sure you know what a meme is. Well, you wouldn’t have opened this piece if you didn’t.
While memes are a source of entertainment, they can be more than that. In fact, it could be said that memes are a language in themselves—they are a format people use to communicate. They can transcend other languages and cultures, making them a universal tongue in a way.
With modern technology, it’s easier than ever to create memes—even if you’re not a tech nerd. Bored Panda’s interviewee, Richard Lachman, associate professor at Ryerson University, said, “Tools like Photoshop, or built-in capabilities on our phones, or online tools, mean we can edit, mash-up, and remix videos and photos effortlessly.”
The ideas for memes usually come from various places—from social media, pop culture, fashion, life, and so on.
R. Lachman said that the sources can not only inspire but also signal in-group membership: “If you ‘get’ my image reference, I'm proving my cultural adroitness, making common cause with a subgroup that understands the joke/reference, and claiming a little of that glow of that media object for myself.“
People are wired to crave group memberships for survival. Yet, sometimes it might not be easy to create the connections we crave so much. The reasons for this are endless—mental health problems, poor social skills, and so on—but we’re not going to get into that too deeply today.
That’s where memes come in. Our interviewee already said that they help people feel like members of certain communities. What we haven’t mentioned yet is that he also believes memes usually serve as bridges between people because discussing any topic in a joke format is easier than taking it seriously.
For example, when speaking out about their mental illness in meme format, people can form bonds with others who can relate. Feeling understood and supported by others through sharing similar memes can positively affect those with mental health issues.
As R. Lachman said: “Sharing a meme can help bond, which can then lead to (online or offline) conversations, acknowledging that others are out there and that we are not alone.“ He also noted that sometimes it's not just the individual meme itself, but the feeling of sharing them within a thematic community that helps.
Of course, relying solely on memes to create connections isn’t the best idea. As our interviewee put it: “Life online is a complex beast, and memes aren't purely good or bad, helpful or harmful, any more than any other form of communication. They are both at the same time.”
Also, mental health isn’t the only theme that can unite people through memes. Just as there are plenty of sources for their creation, there are as many communities that can be connected.
The topics for memes can vary as well. The Instagram page @couplethingvideos proves that—the themes there are pretty random but still quite hilarious. Over 300K followers would likely agree. So, let’s enjoy the randomness and humor of these memes by upvoting them on this list!
