Memes are the newest form of intelligent communication across the world.
Of all the creatures of the earth, human beings are unique in their ability to connect across various demographics and communities. Through our use of language, art and storytelling, we are able to transcend barriers and build relationships with virtually anyone.
Nowadays, our ability to connect with each other is stronger than ever before, thanks to the invention of social media; yet, it is for this same reason that some believe younger generations are increasingly sensitive, ignorant and prone to isolation. This is not only a silly argument, it’s also incorrect.
The criticism that is often directed at Millennials and Generation Z (Gen Z) usually comes from older generations who believe we have lost the ability to communicate in an intelligent way. They point out how younger generations never pick up a newspaper anymore, nor speak to each other face-to-face. According to them, our faces are firmly planted in our cell phones and on computer screens, almost like a shield from human interaction.
This is not altogether untrue. Millennials and Gen Z are the most technologically savvy people in all of human history, thanks in no small part to the abundance of technology which has been invented in recent years. Most of our jobs involve technology in some capacity. Prospective employees must be familiar with popular softwares and online services. Moreover, the use of social media has become a staple in many careers ranging from fast food industries to journalism, and even political institutions like Congress.
Technology and social media aren’t just for fun anymore. They are an integrated part of most of the world, and as such, our communication on it is in a constant incline.
One of the ways people communicate most effectively is through memes, for instance, which are images that are usually accompanied by text, though not always. While the aforementioned older generations scoff at younger people’s use of memes, this form of communication only proves how advanced society has become.
According to The Odyssey Online, the term “meme” is a derivation of the Greek word “mimēma,” which means “an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to pass from one individual to another by non-generic means, especially imitation.”
This makes perfect sense when studying the construction of a meme. Most often, a meme is composed of various elements of media that are brought together to convey a message or feeling. Memes are most often relatable, funny and connective.
For instance, one of the most popular memes today is the Blinking White Guy meme. The meme comes from a video that was posted on Giant Bomb, a gaming website, that showed multiple friends playing a video game. One of the men, Drew Scanlon, made a facial expression during the video that seemed to convey a sense of incredulity, according to Know Your Meme, and was then turned into a gif which transcended across the internet.
Since then, the video-turned-gif meme has also been adapted into a picture format. It is usually used as a way to express shock, incredulity or offense, but as with all memes, it is not limited by these standards.
This is only one example of how young people have taken a medium and translated it across various communities to connect with others. Whether it’s to share a laugh, discuss a serious issue or bring up a relatable thing we all do, the use of memes undoubtedly is an intelligent and thoughtful way people communicate today.
To say that the younger generations have lost a sense of human connection, or that we no longer know how to speak to each other, is both ridiculous and wrong. We may not connect the same way older generations did, but this is nothing new.
There was a point in time, after all, when televisions were new, yet the Baby Boomers still found a way to connect over it. There was a time when newspapers were new, yet that brought folks together as well.
The criticisms against younger generations being less engaged in human interaction goes against everything social media stands for, since its very existence brings people together. Even the criticisms that Millennials and Gen Z are less intelligent or well-read than older generations is incorrect as studies have proven that younger generations actually read more than older generations, according to Pew Research Center; and while digital books are being read in abundance, print issues still remain the most popular form for novel reading amongst all age groups.
Older generations have always found it difficult to understand new forms of communication among youngsters, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try to join them, nor that the new forms are in any way less-than old forms. Rather, memes and other modern communication outlets only go to show how intelligent humanity really is and how much creativity we have that we are able to build friendships with just one click of the “share” button.