Why do I sometimes let whatever’s boiling over get the better part of me and reach for a meme instead of an article? Because sometimes what I want to say just isn’t fit for polite words. And sometimes I don’t want to write an article — proof it, research it, source it — I just want to express some outrage.
Other times, the meme supports an article or a series. A lot of them can say more in one image than three articles can manage in three thousand words. I can show consequences without making threats. I try not to be a bigger fool than any of my ex-wives have already made me out to be.
This meme should speak for itself. It would have taken three articles to convey the same message. I think I’m getting the point across without overly offending too many people — except maybe a few ICE agents.
I think the combined use of meme and commentary can be very effective. It resonates with multiple groups of readers and listeners at once — the ones who’ll read three thousand words and the ones who’ll only ever look at a picture, both walk away with the same message.
Many of my commentaries are available in video format as well as written. I try to reach everyone who might be interested, however they prefer to take it in.
And let’s not forget the audio versions of the video versions, published as podcasts. My, I have been busy.
Back to the memes — I’ve added two new sections to Elephants Ink Room: The Daily Briefing Before the Cameras and American Sheep, Lamb Chops Anyone?. Many of the memes posted there also pop up inside articles, and some get posted singularly on social media. But most just live on the website.
I hope you drop by sometime. Have a laugh. Or a cry. Either one means you got the point.
