Missed class on Memes

I missed class discussion this past Thursday on the memes articles, but I've caught wind of the discussion via an emailed update to catch up. Is it ironic I was able to have my own mini "meme" with a classmate about the discussion on memes?

After reading through the articles emailed to us on memes, I was quite intrigued. I didn't realize video clips that "everyone" has seen that catch fire on the Internet had a classified name, and furthermore, specific way of transmitting from one computer to the next. I thought the article that went of the specifics on how the networking and routing of the Internet work was particularly important in relation to how information goes viral.

Annamaria caught me up on the following discussed in class (THANKS!):

-They are a way of organizing ourselves and connecting to others
-we can relate to them
-a type of grouping
-memes are symbols, messages that stand for something larger
-we identify with them
-to understand a meme is to understand a community

I wish I had been in class to join in, but was playing a tennis match vs. UDel instead. I always feel "left behind" on meme videos that "everyone" has seen. I think it's crucial I become more involved and pay more attention to Internet trends. Or perhaps the exact opposite makes more sense - the more I ignore Internet trends, the more I will find reaches me an effective meme.

While reading through the articles, I did not associate memes with a community, much like the ones we've read about in "We the Media" and "Here Comes Everybody." Now that I am putting the memes concept into perspective, it makes a lot of sense - memes really do create communities by uniting the viewership.

I am often the "only person who has no idea who ex) Antoine Dobson" is and feel clearly left out amongst group discussions on these popular YouTube phenom stars. This exemplifies the community build around a meme, such as bed intruder video. I was one of the last people to have seen this video (and the catchy hip-hop remix that accompanied it). I definitely felt left out when all of my friends were singing along about "climbing through your windows" and was more concerned than anything, before I understood the video behind it. However, when I finally watched the video and listened to the song, I too was hooked. I felt apart of the community that laughed at the bed intruder remix ... and popular Halloween costumes that followed it.

I guess at this point I am unsure if it's better to search for a meme or let it hit me in the face, but either way, it's clear they create a following, fans and communities.