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    The Memescape: Redefining Global Humour

    Written by: Saman Khalid
    Posted on: October 24, 2023 | | 中文

    A collage of famous memes

    What is the first thing that pops up when the average internet user opens their social media feeds? A plethora of content, with a conspicuous prevalence of comedic pieces. However, these bite-sized snippets of humour stand in stark contrast to conventional comedy. For the first time in history, mainstream comedy has been conquered by an entirely novel creation, memes. By definition, memes are images, videos or pieces of text that are copied and spread rapidly on the internet with the intent of satirizing various subjects. Over the past half-decade, memes have fundamentally revolutionized the comedic landscape of contemporary media. The transformative influence of memes over the last half-decade prompts a critical examination of their impact and an essential discourse on the volatile nature inherent to such content.

    Famous meme templates

    Universal Appeal

    The primary reason behind the unprecedented rise of meme-based content is the potential for global reach. Memes have the elusive ability to smoothly transcend geographical, cultural and linguistic barriers. This accessibility stems from their visual nature that doesn’t rely on spoken or written language. The widespread use of social media facilitates the worldwide dissemination of memes, contributing to the large-scale popularity of individual jokes. Moreover, memes play an active role in international exchanges by incentivising people to engage in cross-cultural comedy. There are no pre-requisites to understanding this type of humour; a singular image is enough to evoke the desired response in the viewer.

    Nevertheless, the uncanny commonality associated with memes often leads to the loss of significant context and cultural homogenization. With the constant extrapolation of memes, the representation of localized humour and cultural comedic traditions gets overshadowed. It can also lead to the dilution of the intended message, as a consequence of spreading across various demographics. Ultimately, the nuances of culture are often sacrificed in the name of universal comedy.

    The famous Sarim Akhtar meme

    Community Building

    Memes work because they induce a shared understanding of specific jokes and references, cultivating a profound sense of belonging. They seamlessly incorporate into casual conversations among friends and family, igniting waves of contagious laughter. Memes have eliminated the need for elaborate explanations, accelerating the conveyance of humorous ideas. Encountering a meme instantly integrates an individual into an interconnected web of consumers who find it funny. This is especially lucrative for commentary channels, as it leverages the immediate resonance embedded within memes to captivate and engage audiences.

    Ephemerality

    In the pursuit of uniting people into communities through comedy, memes have laid the groundwork for potentially alienating future generations from the comedic essence of this age. The transient nature of such satire renders it inaccessible to those outside the immediate cultural context. While succinct linguistic expression and written word endure across millennia, superficial memes wither as their relevance diminishes. Most individuals may struggle to find relevance in memes that spread like wildfire five years ago, underscoring the fleeting nature intrinsic to meme culture. Comedy is a kaleidoscope that reflects the norms and intricacies of its time. However, modern humour is nothing but a banal assortment of context-specific images that will become completely meaningless a few years from now.

    A meme on making memes

    Virality

    The virality of memes often lies in their ability to adapt to contemporary social contexts, making them a dynamic and ever-evolving form of communication. It is a common phenomenon for certain memes to go “viral”, which essentially means that the social media algorithms push them out to a magnanimous audience. Through shares and likes, the piece of content gains momentum, rapidly proliferating across numerous comedy videos on various platforms. This trend notably benefits burgeoning artists seeking to establish themselves in the comedic realm, as it opens avenues for recognition and substantial rewards bestowed by the influential forces of social media.

    Comedic Echo Chamber

    A limited number of society-endorsed “funny” content pieces tend to foster a herd mentality amongst users, leading to the far-reaching adoption of specific memes. Frequently, the popularity of certain memes appears to be driven by irrational and inexplicable factors. Consequently, various forms of humour tend to derive from these memes, irrespective of the genuine comedic quality they possess. This surface-level spectacle often eclipses deeper forms of humor that showcase genuine talent and sophistication. This prevalence of easily digestible humour may overshadow the nuanced and intellectual aspects of comedy, preventing the recognition of more substantial and thought-provoking comedic content.

    The internet meme culture

    Conclusion

    In the dynamic realm of social media, the pervasive influence of memes in shaping contemporary humor is undeniable. While their universal appeal fosters a sense of global camaraderie, it is imperative to recognize the potential loss of cultural specificity, nuanced messages, originality and longevity as a consequence. In short, navigating the fine balance between accessibility and the preservation of diverse comedic traditions, remains pivotal in understanding the complex interplay between modern humor and the ever-expanding digital sphere.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021









    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir



    Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.