For today’s lesson in technology, we will focus on internet meme’s.
Other than being a super fun word to say, Wikipedia’s definition of an internet meme is “a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet, much like an esoteric inside joke.”
So in easier terms – it’s those YouTube sensations or things your aunt eventually forwards to you.
Recently, there has been a number of popular meme’s. Maybe if I point out a few, it will help you understand the term…
· “Imma Let You Finish…” Made popular by Kayne West’s famous Taylor Swift interruption, there is a blog dedicated to spoofs on this unforgettable incident. At this link, http://kanyegate.tumblr.com/, you will see a Kayne West “interrupt” celebrities, movies, television shows and even cartoons. Readers can submit their own illustrations.
· Dance, Dance: For the last three years or so, choreographed wedding dances have been invading the crazy world wide web. However, this summer one video in particular took off. I won’t pain you to feature it here or link to it, but you know which video I’m talking about. Wedding dances hit an all-time low with this lame Pittsburgh-sports themed dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy-ZRQ8aBWI
· Rick Roll: I’m not really sure who created this, but a Rick Roll is basically when you punk someone into thinking they are seeing something cool, but really it’s a link to the Rick Astley’s video for ‘Never Gonna Give You Up.” For example, I send you a link that says “OMG, I’m featured on the cover of the Chicago Tribune,” but you click on it to find a link to the “Never Gonna Give You Up” video. You’ve been Rick Rolled. The New York Yankees have Rick Rolled their fans, a Rick Roll spoof was featured on a float at last year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Rick Astley actually made an appearance on the float) and YouTube Rick Rolled people on April Fool’s Day.
· FAIL: One of my favorite meme’s is the Fail Blog. Basically people post pictures of people, things or animals that “fail.” Recent examples include bad store names, bad parents and bad headlines (“government sues itself”). http://failblog.org/
And for good ‘ole times, remember “Dancing Baby” from 1996? Yeah, that video that was passed around by anyone who had the internet or email…well that baby is considered one of the first ever memes. The baby even made an appearance on Ally McBeal.
(Sources; mental floss, kaynegate.tubmlr.com, failblog.org, Baby picture from 1heckofaguy.com)
Other than being a super fun word to say, Wikipedia’s definition of an internet meme is “a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet, much like an esoteric inside joke.”
So in easier terms – it’s those YouTube sensations or things your aunt eventually forwards to you.
Recently, there has been a number of popular meme’s. Maybe if I point out a few, it will help you understand the term…
· “Imma Let You Finish…” Made popular by Kayne West’s famous Taylor Swift interruption, there is a blog dedicated to spoofs on this unforgettable incident. At this link, http://kanyegate.tumblr.com/, you will see a Kayne West “interrupt” celebrities, movies, television shows and even cartoons. Readers can submit their own illustrations.
· Dance, Dance: For the last three years or so, choreographed wedding dances have been invading the crazy world wide web. However, this summer one video in particular took off. I won’t pain you to feature it here or link to it, but you know which video I’m talking about. Wedding dances hit an all-time low with this lame Pittsburgh-sports themed dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy-ZRQ8aBWI
· Rick Roll: I’m not really sure who created this, but a Rick Roll is basically when you punk someone into thinking they are seeing something cool, but really it’s a link to the Rick Astley’s video for ‘Never Gonna Give You Up.” For example, I send you a link that says “OMG, I’m featured on the cover of the Chicago Tribune,” but you click on it to find a link to the “Never Gonna Give You Up” video. You’ve been Rick Rolled. The New York Yankees have Rick Rolled their fans, a Rick Roll spoof was featured on a float at last year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Rick Astley actually made an appearance on the float) and YouTube Rick Rolled people on April Fool’s Day.
· FAIL: One of my favorite meme’s is the Fail Blog. Basically people post pictures of people, things or animals that “fail.” Recent examples include bad store names, bad parents and bad headlines (“government sues itself”). http://failblog.org/
And for good ‘ole times, remember “Dancing Baby” from 1996? Yeah, that video that was passed around by anyone who had the internet or email…well that baby is considered one of the first ever memes. The baby even made an appearance on Ally McBeal.
(Sources; mental floss, kaynegate.tubmlr.com, failblog.org, Baby picture from 1heckofaguy.com)
Post a Comment