The misunderstood humor of political memes
1Digest
This episode of NPR's "It's Been a Minute" delves into the use of memes in the 2020 presidential election. The hosts discuss how memes are being used to shape public perception of the candidates, particularly Kamala Harris, by highlighting their personality and cultural relevance. They explore the role of Gen Z humor, characterized by its use of irony, satire, and absurdist humor, and how it differs from the humor of previous generations. The hosts also examine the impact of the fast-paced news cycle on meme culture, noting that memes are constantly evolving and changing, making it difficult to analyze their meaning and impact. The episode concludes with a game of trivia about recent blockbuster movies, testing the hosts' knowledge of pop culture and current events.
Outlines
Memes and the 2020 Election
This episode explores how memes are being used to shape public perception of the candidates, particularly Kamala Harris, by highlighting their personality and cultural relevance. The hosts discuss the role of Gen Z humor and the impact of the fast-paced news cycle on meme culture.
Game: "But Did You Know?"
The hosts play a game of trivia about recent blockbuster movies, testing their knowledge of pop culture and current events.
Keywords
Meme
A humorous image, video, piece of text, etc., that is spread widely online, especially through social media. Memes often use humor, irony, or satire to comment on current events or cultural trends.
Gen Z
The generation born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s. Gen Z is known for its digital fluency, its embrace of social media, and its unique sense of humor.
Kamala Harris
The current Vice President of the United States. Harris is the first woman and first person of color to hold this office. She is known for her progressive political views and her strong stance on issues such as criminal justice reform and climate change.
Presidential Election
The process by which a country elects its president. In the United States, the presidential election is held every four years. The candidates are nominated by their respective political parties and the winner is determined by the Electoral College.
TikTok
A social media platform where users create and share short videos. TikTok is popular among Gen Z and is known for its viral trends, dance challenges, and humorous content.
Q&A
How are memes being used to shape public perception of the candidates in the 2020 election?
Memes are being used to create a more relatable and engaging image of the candidates, particularly Kamala Harris, by highlighting their personality and cultural relevance.
What are some of the key differences between Gen Z humor and the humor of previous generations?
Gen Z humor is often characterized by its use of irony, satire, and absurdist humor. It is also heavily influenced by social media and the fast-paced nature of the internet.
How does the fast-paced news cycle impact meme culture?
The fast-paced news cycle means that memes are constantly evolving and changing. New memes emerge quickly and often go viral within a short period of time. This can make it difficult to analyze the meaning and impact of memes, as they are constantly being reinterpreted and recontextualized.
Show Notes
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Table of contents
United States
Political memes are merely the evolution of political cartoons, which have existed... for more than 200 years.