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My Facebook page is full of political memes—images, texts, or videos with succinct messages that often aim to show the blindness of those with whom we disagree and to highlight our own wisdom. They’re cheeky, ironic, pointed—and divisive.
We like them because they take complicated issues and distill them into a quick sentence or two tied to an eye-catching image. Problem is, no issue we face today—and we are facing mind-numbing chaos—can be simplified in any meaningful way.
Worse, our use of political memes exacerbates the divides in this country. We don't post them to encourage discussion or to help bring us together. We often post them out of our worst instincts—arrogance, anger, spite.
But memes are seductive. They lure us with their slick and often caustic humor. Right now, we’re all a mix of frustration, anger, fear, and anxiety, and memes let us blow off some steam quickly and easily. Sadly, we often blow that right into somebody else’s face, and that’s no way to build a community—or save a country.
Discussing difficult issues takes time, preparation, education, thought, and a willingness to listen. Memes don't require any of that, yet by sharing them we can pretend to be part of the discussion. Many political memes are created by bots and many are connected to sites that pull you deeper and deeper into divisive messages, making them dangerous on multiple levels—encouraging you into political positions you might once have considered appalling. Memes make it all look so smart and fun.
How can you be a responsible user of political memes?
1. Avoid those that call other people names. I am especially tired of the use of “stupid” in memes on the left and the right. The phrase “special kind of stupid” is a popular way of putting a person in their place, except that it really doesn't. Calling somebody stupid makes them want to shut you out and off—they don't want to listen to anything you say. You’ve labeled them stupid and now they can label you intolerant and rude. And what has been gained?
Another tiresome and non-productive phrase: “I’m educated enough to know.” Apparently not.
2. Consider why you want to post a meme. What is your goal? Do you want to ding your former boss with a nice little box of sarcasm? Why? What does that accomplish? Do you really think posting something that shows how misguided he is will make him stop and say, “Oh, you’re right. I have been totally wrong all this time. Thank you so much for that meme that brought me back to reality.”
Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen so be honest about your motives. Posting biting memes is a good way to tick people off and make yourself feel better for a minute. You may feel you have found your tribe in a meme. But if your tribe is only about dividing, you’ll be helping us move farther and farther into intolerance, into a place where discussion is not even possible.
3. Double-check for accuracy. Political memes can misquote, pull things out of context, or flat out lie, so be careful about sharing false information. It’s so easy to check a meme. Just Google it: “Did George Soros say he would fund Black hate groups?” The answer: No, he did not. Google “Did Donald Trump say if he ever ran for president he would run as a Republican because they are the dumbest group of voters?” The answer: No, he did not. It’s simple to spot misinformation. Yet it is more satisfying to spread it.
For some insight on media sources to trust, check out the Media Bias Chart from Ad Fontes Media.
Aren’t we all getting tired of having to avoid family and friends because of their political positions? Maybe we should instead avoid emotionally satisfying but divisive tools like political memes.
You might also enjoy:
- We're Not as Divided as We Think: Researchers find that people around the world are remarkably alike.
- Can You Believe Your Own Eyes?: Videos are easily manipulated, but a careful eye can tell the difference.
- For Our Sanity, It's Time to Return to Reading Our News: A magazine does not yell at you. It lets you think.
