Harshith Shivakavi

4/3/2024

Memes: Everyone Are One and Laughs Together

Day to day, we come across a unique kind of joke online known as a meme. A
meme can be a picture, a video, or just a sentence that people find funny and share with
others. For example, on social media such as Instagram, people share reels or memes
with their friends because sharing joy is a pleasure on its own and they love to relate to
memes. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a meme as “an item of a culture or
system of behavior passed from one individual to another by imitation or other
non-genetic means.” In this essay, I’ll use some comedy theories, mainly from a man
named Rappaport, to try and understand why we find these memes funny.

For our first example, let’s look at Grumpy Cat. This meme is a photo of a cat that
always looks like it's in a grumpy mood. Usually, the words with it make it seem like the
cat is complaining about something normal, like having fun. To understand why it’s
funny, you need to know that Grumpy Cat looks different from most cats we think are
playful and carefree. When we see this cat looking grumpy about something that should
be enjoyable, it’s surprising, and that surprise makes us laugh. This matches what
Rappaport called the "Incongruity Theory." It’s the idea that something is funny because
it doesn’t match up with what we were expecting.

The second meme is Success Kid. This one is a picture of a small kid who looks like
he's celebrating a big win, but the text is about small, everyday things, like “Ate a whole
apple without getting sticky.” The kid’s serious celebration over something small seems
silly to us, and that's what makes us laugh. It makes us feel smarter or more grown-up,
knowing that we wouldn’t make such a big deal about it. This is a perfect example of
Rappaport’s "Superiority Theory," which says we find something funny because we feel
like we are better than the situation. Looking at memes with Rappaport’s theories opens
up a new way of understanding why we laugh. These theories act like a map, guiding us
through the world of humor. They are especially helpful because they can be used by
people everywhere, showing that the reasons we laugh are pretty much the same, no
matter where we are from. Rappaport’s theories are great at showing how humor is
something everyone shares. They prove that no matter our backgrounds, we can all
laugh at the same things. These theories teach us that humor is a way to connect with
each other, sharing a laugh even if we are worlds apart. Memes do more than make us
chuckle, they capture moments from our lives. They can comment on what’s happening
around us or highlight the funny sides of serious issues. Memes can make us feel like
we are part of a larger community, sharing inside jokes. At times, they also get us
thinking about bigger topics but in a lighter way. Memes are a significant part of our
digital lives. They show us how we can use creativity and humor to communicate
complex ideas simply. They help us connect, understand one another, and sometimes
make sense of the world in unique ways. Memes allow us to look at ourselves and our
society and find humor in our shared experiences. That’s the magic of memes. They’re
not just a quick laugh; they’re reflections of our time, our thoughts, and how we interact
in the internet age.

In a world where we’re all linked through technology, memes are the common language
that can bridge gaps. They’re more than just fun; they’re a powerful way to bond with
others, share ideas, and see the world from different perspectives. Through humor,
memes become a window into the human experience, one that is shared widely and
rapidly in this digital era. And that is truly what makes them an integral part of modern
communication. Through the lens of comedic theories, we don't just decode the humor
in memes; we also recognize their role in shaping our communication and culture. They
are an integral part of how we express, connect, and understand each other in the digital
age. As we continue to navigate the vast waters of the internet, the significance of
memes in our daily interactions is undeniable. They are not merely jokes; they're cultural
artifacts that tell the story of our time. With each shared meme, we're not just spreading
humor; we're weaving the fabric of a shared digital culture. It's through this lens that we
can truly grasp the depth and breadth of what it means to say, "It's all just a meme."