Meme, according to Merriam Webster, means:
an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture
However, on the Internet, and in terms of today’s discussion, I will be using this definition found at The Daily Meme. This all stemmed from a meme I received from Kristen at Book Club Classics, my responding to the meme somewhat reluctantly and then a discussion she began on her blog about the pros and cons of memes.
In my original post, I said this: “I’ll be honest that I’m not ‘real big’ on memes, except for the few weekly ones in which I participate. Sending them out to others or
having them sent to me, feeling ‘forced’ to come up with an answer on a subject I might or might not have any interest.” And Kristen responded: “Eek! I had no idea people found memes an imposition! It was my first one and I thought they were fun, community-oriented things…”
Then Kristen mentioned, and I’m paraphrasing here, that we should participate in memes only if we want to participate and not specifically tag anyone. Personally, that’s why I like the weekly memes, in which I can choose whether or not to participate from week to week. If I don’t participate, no one is “coming down” on me or judging me.
I’ve done a little reading about the original intent of Internet memes, if there was an intent: that it was to create groupthink. In other words, as you comment on the subject, you are more likely to say “Yes, I agree with you on that,” and if you don’t, you’re ostracized from the group. Personally, I guess maybe that’s why I’m not a fan of memes being sent to me,because then I feel like I have to think a certain way about something.
Sometimes it’s even in the way the questions are worded. Do you like the Harry Potter Books? What do you like about them? What don’t you like about them? Are they a tool of the devil? Now, in the question, it seems like it’s implied if I think they’re a tool of the devil (which by the way, I don’t because I conform to the groupthink on this), then I must be a looney. Instead of creating discussion, sometimes I think memes can stifle discussions and limit you as a blogger to that subject on which you’re going to blog. What if I don’t feel like blogging on that subject?
So bottom line: Am I saying I don’t want to be tagged for a meme? Yes, I guess that is what I’m saying. If I see a meme and I want to participate or comment, I will. But let me decide and don’t make me feel obliged to do it.
What about you? What do you think of memes? Love them or hate them? Oh, and by this way, this is not a meme. I’m not tagging you for this. If you don’t want to answer, don’t. Of course, if you start sending it around to folks and forcing them to answer it, then I guess it will become a meme. (Oh, God, I hope not; the last thing we need around here is another meme. :)
All this said, next up for me, to show that I don’t hate all memes: Friday’s Finds.
![WG Spock[5]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/3287415141_51d509b1af_m.jpg)
13 Comments
July 18, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I’m going to agree with you. I *love* reading people’s answers to memes, but I prefer to participate voluntarily. And when I do fill one out, I don’t specifically tag others. They’re a fun way to get to know each other, but not if they become an obligation.
Lezlie
July 18, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Great post! I loved reading about the history of memes, too… The “group think” aspect sounded a bit scary, didn’t it?! So we should start a movement — free thinking memes without tags! :)
One thought I had about tagging after I published my post… I think being tagged can be nice when first starting a blog, since at first it can feel like no one knows your blog exists? Initially a tag can feel like a “hello! I read you!”
But I like the inclusive nature of not tagging, too…
July 18, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I’m confused that people feel obligated to do them when tagged?? I come from the Land of Livejournal, where tagging is just a suggestion, though, and people really don’t care if you don’t take part.
Huh.
July 18, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I consider myself a “meme thief.” I’m rarely tagged, but if I see an interesting meme on someone else’s blog I’ll copy it to use on my own (I always link back to the “victim” of my thievery, of course). I very seldom tag anybody on memes, either – it doesn’t seem right when I steal them.
I do agree that I feel more obligated to respond to a meme when I’m tagged, so maybe it’s better that I don’t get tagged often; otherwise, I might be doing memes I don’t really want to do. However, my inner outcast would like to be tagged more often – validation of my existence, or something. Kind of like what Kristen said, only more pathetic :-).
July 18, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Sometimes answering the questions of the meme just feels a little too much like hard work. Sometimes the questions are too hard for me to answer without looking/feeling like a fool. The first time I was tagged for a meme I didn’t know what to to do, how to answer it, and I was afraid the person who included me in it might have thought I was just being uncooperative. I worry if I tag someone they might think I’m intruding or imposing on valuable time. I think of them as “victims”
July 18, 2008 at 8:15 pm
What really irks me is when someone is looking for someone else to tag and tag anyone–even if they aren’t a regular commentor on the blog. If I’m tagged by someone who never comments on my other posts, then forget it! Some are fun and if I have a chance I’ll do them–did two in my last post. I never tag others and have also found that the memes that I do don’t get a lot of attention (comments). Anyway–glad you can be honest about it!!
July 18, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Lezlie: That’s why I like the aspect of the “meme groups” where you can participate or not participate from week to week. For example, this week I didn’t participate in any, because I really couldn’t relate to any of them and didn’t want to come off as a smart ass, saying, “Hey, you know what, I don’t get it.” Or “That’s not where I’m at.” Why waste the time to say that?
Kristen: Re: the history of memes. Really, I just surfed a bit and it’s my interpretation of what I was reading about it. So don’t take my word for it…I agree with you that it can be a way to join with others. I wouldn’t have many of those who are commenting here if it weren’t for “meme groups” like Weekly Geeks and others.
Renay: I’m not sure if it’s an obligation, but if someone calls out your name and you don’t answer, it almost seems rude to not respond.
Florinda: If I were to get any memes (which of course now I probably won’t after saying I don’t want any), I would send them to you first.
Kerrie: It does seem like a lot of work, and when someone like myself who is trying to “keep track” of four other blogs on different subjects I’m “maintaining,” it can seem to be too much work. And that thought as victims, that is a great way to put it.
Trish: That is a good point too, although I read several blogs that I love and don’t comment regularly. Why? Because sometimes I might not be interested in the subject on which they’re writing. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate their writing. It’s just when you have hundreds of blogs in your Google Reader, it’s just not possible to get to comment on all of them.
Also the reason they might not get a lot of comments is because often everybody else already is doing it. So in a way, it seems to defeat the community-building aspect of which Kristen has mentioned. How can you build a community when everyone’s off in their own little world?
July 19, 2008 at 11:40 am
Great question. I like memes, especially memes about reading, and especially memes about reading that have tricky questions that really make you think.
But I have mixed feelings about the tagging part of it. Most of the memes I do, I don’t tag anyone. Just recently I did a couple where I did tag people and it definitely felt weird. And I also don’t always like to be tagged. Although I like the idea that someone (presumably) thinks I would have interesting answers, what if I don’t want to do it? Will I hurt their feelings if I skip it? Blogging should be fun, not something that makes you feel under pressure.
Also, some memes are better than others. If the meme isn’t well-constructed, with interesting, open-ended questions, you get the same answers frome everyone, and that gets real boring real fast.
July 27, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I like memes but I don’t like tagging. All that fuss where you have to link to the blog you’re tagging then go on their blog and tell them, I don’t know, it’s just a lot of work for something that should be just a silly distraction. I like the weekly memes better but basically I love to talk about my opinions and any excuse is a good one!
July 28, 2008 at 1:48 am
I got my first blog award meme a couple of weeks ago, and have since been inundated with the same award from 6 more people! Its lost all its meaning, if it had any in t he first place! I participate in the voluntary memes such as Sunday Salon when I have something relevant to say on the topic. And when I do participate, I definitely take the time to visit sites of the other participants.
I was tagged with a music meme a couple of weeks ago, and I truly did feel obligated to participate, even though I am not a music person, and I only listen to the radio in the car. Then, because I’m so anal-retentive, I of course had to do what I consider a “good” job on the post and add some of the songs and graphics of the artists to the post, which just added to the time it took me to do it.
I actually was researching/writing a post just today about award memes and their meanings, and who is creating them in the first place. I hope to have it up in a few days.
August 5, 2008 at 10:11 am
[...] For my thoughts and others’ thoughts on memes in general, I offer this post. [...]
August 13, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I actually don’t mind memes or people tagging me – as long as they realize I might take awhile or not do it at all. I have tagged before, but I won’t anymore unless it’s something that just really needs to get out there.
April 8, 2009 at 12:31 pm
[...] when I wrote a post on Memes: Love them or hate them, based off a discussion started by Kristen at Book Club Classics. This brought quite a few [...]