this post was submitted on 02 May 2024
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Science Memes
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I think I largely agree with your broader point. The analogy I go to music. The difference is between drawing your largest possible audience within a niche versus trying to reach the largest possible audience with whatever has worked before. Very few people are actually creating or using them creatively. Most are just recreating or sharing what appeals to them.
Or rather because they want to be the first one to take part in the comedy ritual this time.
Not a fan of memes or jokes in titles/general for semi serious publications. Not entirely because srsbusinessonly but more clarity in communication. Leave the excessive meme usage for the science communicators in order draw the groans that sustain their life essence.
I'm not sure the music analogy quite fits what I was trying to get across - appealing to the lowest common denominator isn't a bad thing.
It's that memes takes no effort compared to making something original and they appeal to the lowest common denominator so they get the most attention (and upvotes/likes/whatever feel good). This does two things: incentives people to make template memes instead of expressing original thoughts and drowns out the original thoughts of others.
I see the value of memes as "conversation starters" (like this thread) so I don't hate them, I just think it's made social media worse and a lot more boring.
I totally agree with your point on publications. It's one thing to have a creative title with a built-in pin but adding fluff just to get laughs...I dunno, I'm not saying they shouldn't have fun but it distracts from the point.