Can You Name Them All?
May 27, 2009 4:36 AM Subscribe
Meme Scenery - Only someone familiar with the original memes would sense something's amiss, like the set of a play waiting for the actors to stumble into history.
I got 11. It reminds me of the video of the kids passing the basketball around. You get so caught up trying to count the passes that you don't notice the gorilla walking through the scene.
posted by sambosambo at 5:08 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by sambosambo at 5:08 AM on May 27, 2009
Is this something I'd need to be able to crack a really tired, not funny any more joke about, to understand?
'Cause I kind of only got five.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:16 AM on May 27, 2009
'Cause I kind of only got five.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:16 AM on May 27, 2009
That tunnel from the Rick Astley video gave me the same shudder as if it were the gates of Auschwitz.
posted by Joe Beese at 5:16 AM on May 27, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by Joe Beese at 5:16 AM on May 27, 2009 [4 favorites]
I just watched the last one for the first time, and... I don't even know. I'm at a complete loss. I need someone to put my world back together. Nothing makes sense anymore.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 5:18 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 5:18 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Am I the only one disturbed by the Kittens Inspired By Kittens one? WTF is that torture chair?
posted by DU at 5:20 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by DU at 5:20 AM on May 27, 2009
I only missed kittens and Numa Numa.
posted by autodidact at 5:21 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by autodidact at 5:21 AM on May 27, 2009
Gonna be that guy who goes "hey folks, 'meme' doesn't mean 'fad,' you know."
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:26 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:26 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Fad is a subset of meme.
posted by DU at 5:29 AM on May 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by DU at 5:29 AM on May 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
Wow, I am so much more lame than I even knew.
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 5:33 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 5:33 AM on May 27, 2009
The Dramatic Chipmunk/Prairie Dog must feel like such a has-been at having not been included.
posted by Joe Beese at 5:34 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Joe Beese at 5:34 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seriously, what _is_ up with that 'torture' chair?
posted by From Bklyn at 5:35 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by From Bklyn at 5:35 AM on May 27, 2009
To be honest, I was kind of disappointed they didn't include Bubb Rubb. But I guess they can't all be winners.
posted by sambosambo at 5:38 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by sambosambo at 5:38 AM on May 27, 2009
Fad is a subset of meme.
If anything, it's the other way around. Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning, and it pains me deeply to have seen the concept lose its original meaning. Thanks for nothing, internet.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 5:42 AM on May 27, 2009
If anything, it's the other way around. Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning, and it pains me deeply to have seen the concept lose its original meaning. Thanks for nothing, internet.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 5:42 AM on May 27, 2009
I recognized one of these. The rest? Not a frackin' clue even on a "oh I recognize this from a reference to X by way of Y" level. Clearly, I'm not spending my time on the right stuff on that interweb series of tubes thing.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 5:43 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 5:43 AM on May 27, 2009
I'm sad, for two reasons:
1. I got all of them except for "Kittens" and "Winnebago Man".
2. I've never seen Winnebago Man before, and it made me laugh uncontrollably. I'm tempted to send it on to others, but if it's this much of a meme, then I'm guessing I'm the only one who HASN'T seen it.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:47 AM on May 27, 2009
1. I got all of them except for "Kittens" and "Winnebago Man".
2. I've never seen Winnebago Man before, and it made me laugh uncontrollably. I'm tempted to send it on to others, but if it's this much of a meme, then I'm guessing I'm the only one who HASN'T seen it.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:47 AM on May 27, 2009
Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning
The same could be said of mimes.
posted by grounded at 5:49 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
The same could be said of mimes.
posted by grounded at 5:49 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Memes were such a neat idea at the beginning
The same could be said of mimes.
And momes.
posted by Pants! at 5:54 AM on May 27, 2009
The same could be said of mimes.
And momes.
posted by Pants! at 5:54 AM on May 27, 2009
If anything, it's the other way around.
A meme is (or at least was) a unit of mental informational reproduction. According to Wikipedia, Dawkins' original examples included: "melodies, catch-phrases, and beliefs (notably religious belief), clothing/fashion, and the technology of building arches." Fads fall right in line with these, particularly the catch-phrases and fashion.
QED
posted by DU at 5:55 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
A meme is (or at least was) a unit of mental informational reproduction. According to Wikipedia, Dawkins' original examples included: "melodies, catch-phrases, and beliefs (notably religious belief), clothing/fashion, and the technology of building arches." Fads fall right in line with these, particularly the catch-phrases and fashion.
QED
posted by DU at 5:55 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
How does "falling in line with" equate to "being a subset of?" Oh, man, you just read the Wikipedia article? I have got to stop reading books.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 5:59 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by solipsophistocracy at 5:59 AM on May 27, 2009
Go Team Meme!
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:03 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:03 AM on May 27, 2009
I consulted Wikipedia to get the examples because I haven't read the book since about 1999.
I realize it's popular among knee-jerk contrarians to hate on the word "meme" but using it as a shorthand for "fad" is pretty much accurate. I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes.
posted by DU at 6:05 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I realize it's popular among knee-jerk contrarians to hate on the word "meme" but using it as a shorthand for "fad" is pretty much accurate. I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes.
posted by DU at 6:05 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Memes were originally conceived of as units of cultural replication. While there's no consensus on exactly what constitutes a single meme, I think early meme theorists would have little trouble agreeing that internet fads are more like coadapted meme complexes than individual memes. Fads or trends rely on memes for successful replication, not the other way around.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:08 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:08 AM on May 27, 2009
knowyourcoadaptedmemecomplexes.com doesn't have quite the same ring, besides being a little pedantic. And in any case, I don't see how "check out this funny video" is any less of a meme than the "check out this cool style of dress" that was given as a canonical example at the time of inception.
posted by DU at 6:13 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 6:13 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
The same could be said of mimes.
And momes.
Penes are still good though.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:13 AM on May 27, 2009
And momes.
Penes are still good though.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 6:13 AM on May 27, 2009
I just don't think it's the "check it out" part that's memetic. It's the intrinsic qualities of the replicating entity that are memes. I guess it hardly matters any more. The word has lost almost all of the interesting parts of its meaning. I still disagree about the meme-fad hierarchy though.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:18 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:18 AM on May 27, 2009
The word "meme" is used to make talking about dumbass stuff sound like a serious pursuit.
posted by pracowity at 6:22 AM on May 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by pracowity at 6:22 AM on May 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
I realize it's popular among knee-jerk contrarians to hate on the word "meme" but using it as a shorthand for "fad" is pretty much accurate. I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes.
The meme vs. fad thing is really chicken and egg territory. The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may".
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:24 AM on May 27, 2009
The meme vs. fad thing is really chicken and egg territory. The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may".
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:24 AM on May 27, 2009
I just don't think it's the "check it out" part that's memetic. It's the intrinsic qualities of the replicating entity that are memes.
what
Also, I need an answer on that torture chair.
posted by DU at 6:28 AM on May 27, 2009
what
Also, I need an answer on that torture chair.
posted by DU at 6:28 AM on May 27, 2009
How does "falling in line with" equate to "being a subset of?" Oh, man, you just read the Wikipedia article? I have got to stop reading books.
If something has necessary properties to be in a set, i.e. 'falling in line' with those properties, then it is a member of that set. If a group of things all have those properties, then that group is a subset. Seems obvious that these memes are memes, as dawkins intended, but nowadays when people say "meme" they just mean "a meme that got popular on the internet"
Also, I need an answer on that torture chair.
Isn't it just an uninstalled car seat?
posted by delmoi at 6:35 AM on May 27, 2009
If something has necessary properties to be in a set, i.e. 'falling in line' with those properties, then it is a member of that set. If a group of things all have those properties, then that group is a subset. Seems obvious that these memes are memes, as dawkins intended, but nowadays when people say "meme" they just mean "a meme that got popular on the internet"
Also, I need an answer on that torture chair.
Isn't it just an uninstalled car seat?
posted by delmoi at 6:35 AM on May 27, 2009
I've never seen Winnebago Man before, and it made me laugh uncontrollably. I'm tempted to send it on to others, but if it's this much of a meme, then I'm guessing I'm the only one who HASN'T seen it.
Uther, I just saw a documentary on Winnebago Man* (Jack Rebney) and it was fascinating. Seriously, check it out if you get a chance.
*I believe he comes somewhere between Peking Man and Piltdown Man.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:36 AM on May 27, 2009
Uther, I just saw a documentary on Winnebago Man* (Jack Rebney) and it was fascinating. Seriously, check it out if you get a chance.
*I believe he comes somewhere between Peking Man and Piltdown Man.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 6:36 AM on May 27, 2009
DU: "I defy you to define "fad" in such a way as to exclude it from being a subset of memes."
[room falls silent as bartender crouches for shelter behind bar]
posted by Joe Beese at 6:38 AM on May 27, 2009
[room falls silent as bartender crouches for shelter behind bar]
posted by Joe Beese at 6:38 AM on May 27, 2009
The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may".
I had a poly-sci professor who always pronounced it that way. Is that a regional thing?
posted by sambosambo at 6:43 AM on May 27, 2009
I had a poly-sci professor who always pronounced it that way. Is that a regional thing?
posted by sambosambo at 6:43 AM on May 27, 2009
Ahhh, I get it, debating the definition of "meme" on metafilter is the secret 23rd meme.
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 6:49 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 6:49 AM on May 27, 2009
Ironically, the way that one pronounces "meme" would be a meme.
posted by XMLicious at 6:51 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by XMLicious at 6:51 AM on May 27, 2009
I'm surprised they didn't include this up and coming new meme.
posted by Meatbomb at 6:54 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Meatbomb at 6:54 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Sup dawg. Meme. Fad. So you can.
I would actually love a highish-res version of the Rick Astley-less tunnel to use as wallpaper.
posted by SpiffyRob at 6:54 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I would actually love a highish-res version of the Rick Astley-less tunnel to use as wallpaper.
posted by SpiffyRob at 6:54 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I only knew six of them once I saw them, and of those, guessed 4 correctly. I fail at the internet.
I thought it was just a car seat, too.
posted by misha at 6:55 AM on May 27, 2009
I thought it was just a car seat, too.
posted by misha at 6:55 AM on May 27, 2009
There's no debate on the pronunciation. I though it rhymed with "them", but I was wrong. It rhymes with scream.
posted by SpiffyRob at 6:56 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by SpiffyRob at 6:56 AM on May 27, 2009
I only got two, so basically I'm winning.
posted by signal at 7:06 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by signal at 7:06 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Surely in the meme/gene analogy, the fad is analogous to the phenotype not the genotype.
So this is caused by memes, but is not itself a meme. Furthermore it can be decomposed into smaller constituents such as this, and so must be the result of a complex of memes rather than a single meme.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 7:11 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
So this is caused by memes, but is not itself a meme. Furthermore it can be decomposed into smaller constituents such as this, and so must be the result of a complex of memes rather than a single meme.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 7:11 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Wait, wait. Is the pissing contest to see who got the most, or who got the least? I'm confused as to how to prove my superiority.
My head asplode.
posted by nosila at 7:13 AM on May 27, 2009
My head asplode.
posted by nosila at 7:13 AM on May 27, 2009
Shit. I just remembered I was going to try to stop being sarcastic thanks to AskMe. Sigh. Lasted about twelve hours, for most of which I was asleep, and zero comments.
posted by nosila at 7:16 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by nosila at 7:16 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
[sambosambo pulls out a mean switchmeme]
DU: solipsophistocracy, give him your lulz!
solipsophistocracy: What for?
DU: He's got a meme!
solipsophistocracy: [chuckling] That's not a meme.
[solipsophistocracy pulls out a postulated discrete unit of cultural knowledge]
solipsophistocracy: *That's* a meme.
[solipsophistocracy examines sambosambo's cultural evolution with the meme. sambosambo and his gang run away.]
solipsophistocracy: Just kids having fun. You alright?
DU: I'm always alright when I'm with you, solipsophistocracy.
posted by stavrogin at 7:20 AM on May 27, 2009 [8 favorites]
DU: solipsophistocracy, give him your lulz!
solipsophistocracy: What for?
DU: He's got a meme!
solipsophistocracy: [chuckling] That's not a meme.
[solipsophistocracy pulls out a postulated discrete unit of cultural knowledge]
solipsophistocracy: *That's* a meme.
[solipsophistocracy examines sambosambo's cultural evolution with the meme. sambosambo and his gang run away.]
solipsophistocracy: Just kids having fun. You alright?
DU: I'm always alright when I'm with you, solipsophistocracy.
posted by stavrogin at 7:20 AM on May 27, 2009 [8 favorites]
Seriously, what _is_ up with that 'torture' chair?
Based on other things visible in that picture, and the equipment in the living room of a friend whose young daughter has cerebral palsy, I'm going to say "adaptive seating for disabled child."
posted by not that girl at 7:23 AM on May 27, 2009
Based on other things visible in that picture, and the equipment in the living room of a friend whose young daughter has cerebral palsy, I'm going to say "adaptive seating for disabled child."
posted by not that girl at 7:23 AM on May 27, 2009
You can see the tray that attaches to it propped on the floor to the left of the chair.
posted by not that girl at 7:24 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by not that girl at 7:24 AM on May 27, 2009
I got all but 3 - Kittens inspired by kittens, Winnebago Man, and then what was simultaneously the most hilarious and disturbing thing I've seen all week, the ottoman-humping teens. My laughter was broken only by the occasional "oh god there's another one? How many kids are going to hump that poor ottoman?"
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 7:27 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 7:27 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I got one.
posted by Ceiling Cat at 7:53 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Ceiling Cat at 7:53 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
Usually when I see videos of kids doing dumb things, I can identify with them. Using a stick to demonstrate my wicked martial arts skills? Yup, done that. Singing very seriously with an awful fake voice? Done that. Humping-ottomans with my friends? Never done that.
posted by diogenes at 7:53 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by diogenes at 7:53 AM on May 27, 2009
Also, it's interesting (to me, at least) that my lizard hindbrain got several of these before my conscious mind did. The Star Wars Kid one, for example. I instantly thought "Star Wars Kid" but then my rational brain was like, "No, that was in a garage or something, that set is far too professional for that video."
posted by Rock Steady at 7:56 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Rock Steady at 7:56 AM on May 27, 2009
Also also, never saw "Kittens inspired by kittens" before. Fantastic. I want beef jerky!
posted by Rock Steady at 7:56 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Rock Steady at 7:56 AM on May 27, 2009
I'd agree with solipsophistocracy, not every random video on youtube is a meme. Something like "video of person screwing up" is a meme, FAIL and and lolcats and rickrolling and the style of captioning pictures like office motivational posters are memes - they're fairly generic ideas that replicate and propagate between people, experience mutations, evolve, etc.
In a sense, yes, almost anything can be seen as a meme, in the same way I could describe a mop as "funny" or a bunny rabbit as "dangerous". They can be looked at in that way and couldn't be said to be entirely lacking in that property, but nor is it the best encompassing single-word description of said object
For all the wikipedia fans:
posted by crayz at 8:05 AM on May 27, 2009
In a sense, yes, almost anything can be seen as a meme, in the same way I could describe a mop as "funny" or a bunny rabbit as "dangerous". They can be looked at in that way and couldn't be said to be entirely lacking in that property, but nor is it the best encompassing single-word description of said object
For all the wikipedia fans:
A meme ... is a postulated unit or element of cultural ideas, symbols or practices that gets transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals, or other imitable phenomena. ... they act as cultural analogues to genes, in that they self-replicate and respond to selective pressuresMaybe the most precise thing to say would be - most of these aren't very successful memes
posted by crayz at 8:05 AM on May 27, 2009
How many kids are going to hump that poor ottoman?
With the defeat against the Russians in the mid-nineteenth century and fighting on many fronts, it had to capitulate against Britain and allow an influx of zero-tariff goods along with an increased European military presence on its lands resulting in a weakened position in international relations.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:08 AM on May 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
With the defeat against the Russians in the mid-nineteenth century and fighting on many fronts, it had to capitulate against Britain and allow an influx of zero-tariff goods along with an increased European military presence on its lands resulting in a weakened position in international relations.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:08 AM on May 27, 2009 [3 favorites]
I got one.
posted by Ceiling Cat at 10:53 AM on May 27 [+] [!]
Let me guess:
Winnebago man?
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 8:08 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Ceiling Cat at 10:53 AM on May 27 [+] [!]
Let me guess:
Winnebago man?
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 8:08 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
The definition of "meme": A "begging the question" for the 21st century.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:13 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Rock Steady at 8:13 AM on May 27, 2009
The pictures themselves look really eerie, like what would happen if one day we all gave up on the internet.
A bit like Chernobyl.
posted by saralk at 8:14 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
A bit like Chernobyl.
posted by saralk at 8:14 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'd agree with solipsophistocracy, not every random video on youtube is a meme.
So you do both things? Because that's not the position solwhatever was advocating, nor is it the negation of the position I was advocating.
posted by DU at 8:37 AM on May 27, 2009
So you do both things? Because that's not the position solwhatever was advocating, nor is it the negation of the position I was advocating.
posted by DU at 8:37 AM on May 27, 2009
I got 16. I'm not sure if I should proud or ashamed.
posted by katillathehun at 8:46 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by katillathehun at 8:46 AM on May 27, 2009
But... is Milhouse a meme?
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:47 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:47 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Captain Cardanthian, here's the standard remedy for that video.
posted by darksasami at 9:32 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by darksasami at 9:32 AM on May 27, 2009
Thanks for the link, everyone. It was a lot of fun making these images, glad you guys like them!
Regarding the use of the word "meme," I thought it was well established that the definition of "Internet meme" is no longer strictly tied to the original "meme" concept defined by Dawkins. Like it or not, it's become a cultural shorthand for any image, audio, or video that spreads explosively through word-of-mouth online and evolves into multiple variations.
@Joe Beese: I just added dramatic prairie dog, submitted by email to me late last night. He was giving me a nasty look, so I had to add him in.
@Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: Dawkins himself pronounces "meme" rhyming with scream. Here's a video where you can hear him.
posted by waxpancake at 9:43 AM on May 27, 2009
Regarding the use of the word "meme," I thought it was well established that the definition of "Internet meme" is no longer strictly tied to the original "meme" concept defined by Dawkins. Like it or not, it's become a cultural shorthand for any image, audio, or video that spreads explosively through word-of-mouth online and evolves into multiple variations.
@Joe Beese: I just added dramatic prairie dog, submitted by email to me late last night. He was giving me a nasty look, so I had to add him in.
@Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: Dawkins himself pronounces "meme" rhyming with scream. Here's a video where you can hear him.
posted by waxpancake at 9:43 AM on May 27, 2009
I thought it was well established that the definition of "Internet meme" is no longer strictly tied to the original "meme" concept defined by Dawkins. Like it or not, it's become a cultural shorthand for any image, audio, or video that spreads explosively through word-of-mouth online and evolves into multiple variations.
Yeah, I think you're probably right. I'm just bummed about it. Sorry for getting all deraily.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 9:54 AM on May 27, 2009
Yeah, I think you're probably right. I'm just bummed about it. Sorry for getting all deraily.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 9:54 AM on May 27, 2009
Ceiling cat is watching your intellectual masturbation.
posted by barrett caulk at 9:57 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by barrett caulk at 9:57 AM on May 27, 2009
@Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: Dawkins himself pronounces "meme" rhyming with scream. Here's a video where you can hear him.
I first read this as "Dawkins pronounces 'meme' with a scream. Here's a video where you can hear him." I was confused at first when I clicked on the link and didn't see Dawkins yelling "MAAAAAAAY-MAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 10:02 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
I first read this as "Dawkins pronounces 'meme' with a scream. Here's a video where you can hear him." I was confused at first when I clicked on the link and didn't see Dawkins yelling "MAAAAAAAY-MAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 10:02 AM on May 27, 2009 [2 favorites]
The pictures themselves look really eerie, like what would happen if one day we all gave up on the internet.
A bit like Chernobyl.
Chernobyl is growing, just without people. Kind of like Bear City.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:09 AM on May 27, 2009
A bit like Chernobyl.
Chernobyl is growing, just without people. Kind of like Bear City.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:09 AM on May 27, 2009
I hadn't seen the German kid before. I thought that was hilarious, until I learned it was fake.
posted by emelenjr at 10:30 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by emelenjr at 10:30 AM on May 27, 2009
Interesting! But it doesn't really work for our memes. (Except maybe this one.)
posted by Rhaomi at 10:39 AM on May 27, 2009
posted by Rhaomi at 10:39 AM on May 27, 2009
... Getting the vast majority of those correct made me feel as though I was on the autistic spectrum. I spend so much time on the internet that I can identify memes/video fads by background?! Can I self-diagnose myself with Asperger's, now? :(
posted by Keter at 12:08 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by Keter at 12:08 PM on May 27, 2009
Pretty Ricky - Late Night Special
HOLEEE SHIT! How come I have not seen this before?
Pure. Awesome.
P.S. How can I join the group?
posted by P.o.B. at 2:12 PM on May 27, 2009
HOLEEE SHIT! How come I have not seen this before?
Pure. Awesome.
P.S. How can I join the group?
posted by P.o.B. at 2:12 PM on May 27, 2009
By the way I got 18. I could've fudged and said I got 19 on the one where the cat goes crazy and claws the animal control guy but that was an assumption and the rest were spot on recognizable backgrounds. I'm also assuming this is like golf where the lower the score the better, because otherwise...
*starts shutdown on computer*
posted by P.o.B. at 3:06 PM on May 27, 2009
*starts shutdown on computer*
posted by P.o.B. at 3:06 PM on May 27, 2009
I am SO downloading those pictures to use as backgrounds for my future graphic parodies. Thank you sambosambo for saving me a lot of Photoshop (or in my case, PhotoSlop) work.
posted by wendell at 4:00 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by wendell at 4:00 PM on May 27, 2009
I got exactly enough to come across as informed and with it, but not enough to seem pathetic or nerdy.
posted by The Deej at 4:20 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by The Deej at 4:20 PM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: The only point that really matters in the whole debate is that "meme" is pronounced "may-may".
sambo sambo: I had a poly-sci professor who always pronounced it that way. Is that a regional thing?
Meme: MEEEEEEM. M-W audio of pronunciation here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meme
posted by tzikeh at 8:32 PM on May 27, 2009
sambo sambo: I had a poly-sci professor who always pronounced it that way. Is that a regional thing?
Meme: MEEEEEEM. M-W audio of pronunciation here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meme
posted by tzikeh at 8:32 PM on May 27, 2009
Oh, c'mon, of course it's pronouced "may-may". Just like "gene" is pronounced "gay-nay".
posted by XMLicious at 9:46 PM on May 27, 2009
posted by XMLicious at 9:46 PM on May 27, 2009
Dictionary, schmictionary. It's may-may.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:58 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:58 AM on May 28, 2009
M-E-M-E
Is that how you spell may-may in your dictionary?
posted by SpiffyRob at 4:55 AM on May 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
Is that how you spell may-may in your dictionary?
posted by SpiffyRob at 4:55 AM on May 28, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you mean "Is meme pronounced may-may?" then yes.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:20 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:20 AM on May 28, 2009
Well, anyway I don't see how I can be blamed if Dawkins mispronounces a word he invented.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 10:35 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 10:35 AM on May 28, 2009
Agreed. Even after learning and confirming that it *is* pronounced "meem", I'm actually pretty sure it *is*, in fact, pronounced "may-may."
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:13 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:13 AM on May 28, 2009
You see, people? SpiffyRob gets it. I recommend you do as I, and not only pronounce it "may-may", but write to Dawkins personally and politely correct his pronunciation.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 11:36 AM on May 28, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 11:36 AM on May 28, 2009
Using me as litmus test for whether or not something can be accepted by the populace (got it right this time!) is probably unwise.
Though if you do write Dawkins to correct him, I strongly suggest you tell him you're doing so because $deity told you to.
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:46 AM on May 28, 2009
Though if you do write Dawkins to correct him, I strongly suggest you tell him you're doing so because $deity told you to.
posted by SpiffyRob at 11:46 AM on May 28, 2009
*Uploading my "I'll be your May-May tonight/Green Eggs and Ham" mashup to youtube as I type*
posted by Elmore at 12:01 PM on May 28, 2009
posted by Elmore at 12:01 PM on May 28, 2009
Though if you do write Dawkins to correct him, I strongly suggest you tell him you're doing so because $deity told you to.
Here's a copy of what I wrote:
Feel free to use this template in writing your own e-mail to Dawkins.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 12:02 PM on May 28, 2009 [2 favorites]
Here's a copy of what I wrote:
Dear Richard Dawkins
Big fan here. This is just to let you know you're pronouncing "meme" incorrectly. Maybe others have just been too polite to point this out to you, out of deference to your education and the fact that you invented the word, but as you've always advocated the truth above all us, I think it would be a disservice to the truth - and to you - to let it slide.
It's pronounced "may-may". Please make a note of it, and keep up the good work.
Yours in Christ,
M.Feel free to use this template in writing your own e-mail to Dawkins.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 12:02 PM on May 28, 2009 [2 favorites]
Only if you do use my template, be sure and say "... the truth above all else ..." instead.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 12:05 PM on May 28, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 12:05 PM on May 28, 2009
Dear Richard Dawkins
LOL Wut? its May-may you fag.
Yours in Christ,
/b/
posted by Elmore at 12:10 PM on May 28, 2009
LOL Wut? its May-may you fag.
Yours in Christ,
/b/
posted by Elmore at 12:10 PM on May 28, 2009
That's a hell of a typo to make! If anything is going to really set him off, it would be telling him that he's "always advocated the truth above all us."
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:35 PM on May 28, 2009
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:35 PM on May 28, 2009
What possible justification could one have for pronouncing it may-may?
posted by empath at 4:04 PM on May 28, 2009
posted by empath at 4:04 PM on May 28, 2009
What possible justification could one have for pronouncing it may-may?
I've always been a stickler for correct pronunciation. A minor point in this case, but still. He can keep pronouncing it "meem" if he wants and all. It's a free country. But it doesn't change the fact that it's pronounced "may-may".
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:51 PM on May 28, 2009
I've always been a stickler for correct pronunciation. A minor point in this case, but still. He can keep pronouncing it "meem" if he wants and all. It's a free country. But it doesn't change the fact that it's pronounced "may-may".
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 5:51 PM on May 28, 2009
Marisa Stole the Precious Thing: "What possible justification could one have for pronouncing it may-may?
I've always been a stickler for correct pronunciation. A minor point in this case, but still. He can keep pronouncing it "meem" if he wants and all. It's a free country. But it doesn't change the fact that it's pronounced "may-may"."
But why? I've never heard of anyone pronouncing it "may-may." Why would it be so?
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:42 PM on May 28, 2009
I've always been a stickler for correct pronunciation. A minor point in this case, but still. He can keep pronouncing it "meem" if he wants and all. It's a free country. But it doesn't change the fact that it's pronounced "may-may"."
But why? I've never heard of anyone pronouncing it "may-may." Why would it be so?
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 6:42 PM on May 28, 2009
Every dictionary I can find says it is pronounced either MAYM or MEEM.
Now, I know mores, in sociology, are pronounced MORAYS, but that's hardly analagous.
posted by misha at 6:44 PM on May 28, 2009
Now, I know mores, in sociology, are pronounced MORAYS, but that's hardly analagous.
posted by misha at 6:44 PM on May 28, 2009
Folks: MStPT and I are f'ing about. It's pronounced meem. I promise.
But really. REALLY, it's pronounced may-may.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:34 PM on May 28, 2009
But really. REALLY, it's pronounced may-may.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:34 PM on May 28, 2009
Look, it's really simple. The guy who invented the word is wrong. The dictionaries are wrong. It's pronounced "may-may". I don't understand why this is so hard to fathom. I mean, doesn't it sound better than "meem"? Say "meem" a few times. Meem. Meem meem meem. That's dumb. "May-may" though, that has class. Pinache (pronounced "pee-NATCH-ee"), if you will.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 4:49 AM on May 29, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 4:49 AM on May 29, 2009
Sorry to quibble, but it's actually spelled "panache" and is pronounced PAN-ACHE.
Moreover, élan is pronounced EYE-LANE. The accent égout is there to fool people who think they know better, but don't.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:07 AM on May 29, 2009
Moreover, élan is pronounced EYE-LANE. The accent égout is there to fool people who think they know better, but don't.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:07 AM on May 29, 2009
Ah, I think you mean "spelt".
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 7:08 AM on May 29, 2009
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 7:08 AM on May 29, 2009
This thread is giving me a major panache.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:09 AM on May 29, 2009
posted by Rock Steady at 7:09 AM on May 29, 2009
Speltedafiedarized.
Watching the kittens inspired by kittens followup, wherein she explains World War 2, makes me wonder: Has any may-may video ever had a successful followup? Weezer's Pork and Beans video sort of counts, I guess.
posted by SpiffyRob at 9:12 AM on May 29, 2009
Watching the kittens inspired by kittens followup, wherein she explains World War 2, makes me wonder: Has any may-may video ever had a successful followup? Weezer's Pork and Beans video sort of counts, I guess.
posted by SpiffyRob at 9:12 AM on May 29, 2009
SpiffyRob: I would actually love a highish-res version of the Rick Astley-less tunnel to use as wallpaper.
I painted this just for you.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:32 PM on May 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
I painted this just for you.
posted by Pronoiac at 2:32 PM on May 29, 2009 [2 favorites]
My Pontiac is painted red, is that what you're talking about?
posted by The Deej at 2:59 PM on May 29, 2009
posted by The Deej at 2:59 PM on May 29, 2009
Successful Troll is Successful.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:15 PM on May 31, 2009
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 5:15 PM on May 31, 2009
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I tell you what, if you click on the third one for the answer you'll feel really dumb. No joke.
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 4:44 AM on May 27, 2009 [1 favorite]