We had a record number of perfect 10 memes – three, to be exact – but this one was definitely the winner. Visual rhetoric so powerful that no words are even required.
Meme of the Week 15
Tag: MemeWars
A Meme Request
Someone on SG said they hadn’t seen any memes yet with an image that practically screams for one. So here’s one in honor of Mr. Benjamin:
Also, you can submit one (1) meme for the Weekly Meme Review today. You know what to do.
The Chickenhawk Contemplates
The Littlest Chickenhawk wouldn’t serve in the US military while he was calling for the US to invade the Middle East and establish an empire there. It’s fascinating to see that despite all his endless squawking about Israel over the years, he won’t even lift a finger to personally defend it either.
Of course, it’s possible that Ben Shapiro doesn’t see any need to defend Israel at this juncture, since he has never been troubled by civilian casualties.
“I am getting really sick of people who whine about “civilian casualties.” Maybe I’m a hard-hearted guy, but when I see in the newspapers that civilians in the settlements or the Golan Heights were killed by Hamas or Hezbollah militants, I don’t really care. One Palestinian life is worth far more than an Israeli civilian.”
Ben Shapiro, Enemy ‘civilian casualties’ ok by me, 25 July 2002
Norman Rockwell Paints Clown World
The demonic nature of Clown World can perhaps best be seen when shown in stark contrast to the ideal 1950s America that was portrayed by the great American painter. The weaponized autists of /pol/ have harnessed the power of AI image creation to illustrate the extent of the sin-drenched abomination that is today’s post-American Clown World. Below is just one of many vivid examples.
The 4Chan Guide to Rhetoric
This is a very good summary of how to meme effectively takes into account everything from Aristotle to GamerGate.
THE ON MEMEWAR GUIDE TO WRITING BETTER PROPAGANDA
THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: CATCH PEOPLE’S ATTENTION AND HOLD IT BY BEING ENTERTAINING
KNOW YOUR TARGET:
Have a specific target in mind (either a person, or a well-developed stereotype). Know the narratives they use to make sense of the world.
Know what they are likely to find entertaining.
WRITE TO THE NARRATIVE:
Use a message that the target is likely to agree with.
If this is not possible, frame the message that they will disagree with in terms that they are likely to agree with. Ensure it fits enough so that it is not just recognizable, but is considered true without having to think about it. Use vague terms that are likely to have wide appeal, and can be applied to whatever the target has in mind.
BE ENTERTAINING:
Ensure that the propaganda is concise enough to be easily understood and digested.
Follow the setup/payoff model:
Setup: A familiar premise that sets expectations.
Payoff: An unexpected development that subverts the expectation.
The Payoff must be delivered quickly enough to trigger the ‘sudden realization’ that induces humor.
The setup and payoff can be Explicit (A guy walks into a bar) Contextual (your boss farts in a meeting) or Ironic (A towtruck stuck in a ditch)
Use forms and motifs from propaganda that is already successful. This ensures recognizability, which is eye-catching.
It also means there is a high likelihood that the person will find it entertaining.
EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION:
A strong emotion will overwhelm the target’s ability to rationally think through the implications of the message. Any emotion can achieve this. A very funny piece, an enraging piece, or a piece that causes dread or demoralization can be effective. AS LONG AS IT RESONATES WITH THE TARGET’S NARRATIVES.
HAVE A PURPOSE:
The propaganda should work to convey a narrative message. This can be a simple message about a person (or group of people).
IE, Joe Biden or all Democrats are stupid.
This can also be a way to contextualize events or relations.
IE, Joe Biden wants to tax us to death, the Democrats are running up the deficit.
The best messages are short and simple.
Overtime, the cumulative effect of many short messages will change a person’s worldview.
Some of the memes being produced in accordance with this guidance, and utilizing the latest DALL-E AI graphics engine, are very good. One example:
A Memetic Response
In case you did not understand the reference, read this article. And here’s a hint: they’re not just “practicing”.
It’s Not Their Fault
A Giant of the Internet is Gone
Cheems, one of the most famous dogs on the internet, is dead after a battle with cancer. The viral meme dog died Friday during a surgical procedure according to his owners, who say he fell asleep during surgery and never woke up. Cheems shot to fame way back in 2017 when an awkward photo of him went viral, sparking a meme that is still shared to this day.
May he sleep well in the bosom of Harambe.
