Blog Post #5- Kaileigh Klein
Funny pictures and videos that blow up on the internet are known as "memetic media" coined by Ryan Milner, Whitney Phillips and Limor Shifman. An example of such is the saga of Ben Affleck and his Dunkin' Donuts experience occuring December of 2020. After a photo of Affleck picking up his Dunkin' Donuts order made its way to social media platforms, it became a viral sensation with people adding their own funny captions. The Affleck meme is an example of how basic images can go viral with the addition of a funny caption. Memes thrive on multimodality, reappropriation, resonance, collectivism and spread. By remixing existing content that people can connect to on personal levels and allowing them to circulate through social networks, certain images become viral and allow for everyone to recognize certain photos instantly because of this. This meme exemplifies how everyday moments can be shared cultural experiences due to the internet.
Kaileigh, your post beautifully captures the essence of "memetic media" and its ability to transform ordinary moments into global phenomenas. The Ben Affleck Dunkin' Donuts saga was a perfect example of how a simple image can spark creativity and humor across social media platforms, demonstrating the power of memes to thrive across varies mediums. Personally, I've been fascinated by the way these internet phenomena bring people together through shared laughter and understanding. It's remarkable to see how everyday experiences can evolve into shared cultural touchstones in the digital age. Thanks for sharing this insightful perspective, it serves as a reminder of the ever-changing dynamics within online culture.
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