Today’s post is on the importance of memes in the fight to keep your sanity while arguing about Things That Matter. Although memes undeniably shorten and sometimes oversimplify arguments, the reality is that most conversations, discussions, or verbal holiday brawls with family over Things That Matter do not take place in 1,500 word blog posts. When you’re at the dinner table and someone says something offensive and damaging about Syrian refugees, “the gays,” and who all else, you don’t have the option of saying:
“Hang on just one minute while I boot up my computer. Then I will make you read an essay, and you shall know EXACTLY how wrong you truly are!”
Well if you do try it, let me know how it turns out. Also, please film.
Anyway, memes are useful because they are a useful way of remembering short things that other people have put a surprising amount of thought into making both A) short, B) memorable, and in our case, C) on point. C is of course important because memes about lolcats aren’t going to help you convince Uncle Joe that no, Syrian refugees are not seeking entry to the U.S. simply for the purpose of killing us all. On the other hand, a well-timed quote from a well-crafted meme can help you feel prepared and keep your head when conversations turn intense.
