Requirements:
4 full pages, maximum of 5
Classical Format (see Classical Rhetoric handout)
MLA Format
Include the language of critical thinking such as hidden assumptions, fallacies, ethos, pathos, and euphemistic language.
A “meme” is a virally transmitted cultural symbol or social idea. A meme (rhymes with “team”) behaves like a flu or a cold virus, traveling from person to person quickly, but transmitting an idea instead of a life form. According to Cecil Adams of theStraightDope.com, the concept of memes “is either really deep, or really, really obvious. My advice is to not pick an obvious one, unless you have something complex to say about it!
The majority of Internet memes are (or were) transmitted by adolescents and post-adolescents. This is largely because these two demographics like to message, and have a playful curiosity about memes. But today, the average age of meme-transmitters has increased, as users over 30 years old discover the chuckles and humor about forwarding memes to their friends.
The “meme” word was first introduced by evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins, in 1976. “Meme” comes from the Greek word “mimema” (meaning “something imitated,” American Heritage Dictionary). Dawkins described memes as a being a form of cultural propagation, a way for people to transmit social memories and cultural ideas to each other. Not unlike the way that DNA and life will spread from location to location, a meme idea will also travel from mind to mind.
The Internet, by sheer virtue of its instant communication, is how we now spread modern memes to each other’s inboxes. A link to a YouTube video of Rick Astley, a file attachment with a Stars Wars Kid movie, an email signature with a Chuck Norris quote… these are a few examples of modern meme symbols and culture spreading through online media.
The bulk of Internet memes will continue to be humor and shock-value curiosities, as these grab people’s attention more quickly than deeper meme content. But as users become more sophisticated in their thinking, expect memes to become progressively more intellectual and philosophical.
Heres a link to the top ten Internet memes of all time: http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-internet-memes
For the essay, please choose an Internet meme that allows you to analyze its significance in one or more of the following areas: race, politics, gender, and/or identity. In the analysis, please introduce the reason for choosing the meme, give a brief overview of its basic characteristics, and then analyze it in-depth. You should consider looking at different versions of the meme for comparison and analysis.
Please keep these critical thinking components in mind as you analyze:
Identifying and challenging assumptions–Try to identify and then examine the accuracy of assumptions that underline the ideas, beliefs, values, and actions that we take for granted.
Becoming aware of your context –the culture and time in which you live.
By becoming aware of how context shapes what we consider normal and natural ways of thinking and living, we will realize that in other contexts entirely different norms of organizing the workplace, behaving politically, and interpreting the media/literature are considered ordinary.
Imagining and exploring alternatives–new ways of thinking–Critical thinking requires the ability to imagine and explore alternatives to existing ways of thinking–that is, it requires us to consider alternative concepts and the assumptions which underlie them.
Developing reflective criticism–By applying the first three components of critical thinking, we will be less likely to accept immediately claims to universal truths or ultimate solutions. This does not mean that we cannot believe and commit to ideas–quite the opposite. It means that we are able to justify the reasons for our commitments by pointing to evidence in their support.
