Memesahebs of a virtual age

You might be surprised often when you open an app and your timeline is flooded with memes relating to a particular incident. Most recently, Rahul Gandhi while addressing areas in Bengaluru as separate cities was ridiculed quite heavily on social networks with memes about his blooper, albeit minor, but it got the twitterati into a frenzy.  

Instances from our daily life are complimented and even explained by memes. The way we see or hear about incidents has been revolutionised through memes and it is time we acknowledged the funny bandwagon. Memes have become a language of their own, filling our own online spaces with humour that’s odd, eccentric and personally relatable.

Devarshi Chowdhury, a research assistant says, “I do often find out about what’s trending and recent happenings through memes. I find it is a good way to keep up with things that I would otherwise miss. The way certain situations or feelings are portrayed is hilarious and it makes quite a lasting impression.” 

With memes, you’re never going to feel left out because there is a niche for absolutely anything that you could think. A non-alcoholic engineer, or an avid Tinder user, you name it and there is a meme out there for you. Kevin Daniel, a physics graduate says, “As a science enthusiast, memes are actually a really fun way to revise concepts while having a laugh. It’s quite amusing what people can come up with. I like sharing memes pertaining to my passion as my best friends who also share the same aspiration would certainly have their funny bones tickled. Who doesn’t enjoy a good pun or a meme?”

Among friends, memes have become a means to stay in touch or communicate what they are thinking or feeling at the moment. Even if they haven’t spoken in a couple of days, tagging each other on online posts or sending screenshots of a meme keeps the friendship alive. As Likhitha Neerukonda, a BBA student says, “I relate to them mainly because of my student life and how everyone faces the same problems like I do. I share them whenever my friends and I can relate to them. It’s just a way of being friends with them. Memes became a part of our friendship.”