The Significance of Memes: An Interview with An Xiao Mina
Within a 20-minute interview with An Xiao Mina, listeners were able to expand their original ideas of memes, and how they can be utilized into larger current issues. Originally believed to be an image with an added text, Mina sees memes as digital content that conveys a certain narrative, and unifies culture. This can be in the form of a hashtag, YouTube video, TikTok video etc. Mina says memes “reflect and amplify all aspects of humanity…the worst in us and the best in us, ” in contrast to the abundance of dark contents that can be found online.
An Xiao Mina (@anxiaomina) also elaborated on the restrictive effects of “filter bubbles,” which is a form of limiting ourselves only to an environment that agrees with our personal point of view. This can apply to both the media, and in-person interaction. In relation to memes, Mina believes that the internet algorithm makes it difficult to expand to different perspectives, as this system was created specifically to cater to your interests. Mina suggests logging in with a private browser where your search history is clear, in order to push beyond your “filter bubbles.” Hashtags are also helpful in learning about different communities. You can hashtag a location in order to to find information related to that area.
Mentioned further into the interview was the fine-line between using memes for entertainment and politics. Mina believes that “the boundaries between humor and serious are difficult to discern. In many ways jokes contain kernels of truth.” I found it especially interesting how although Mina feels that analyzing a meme could ruin its humor, it could help unravel the truth about society that is masked through jokes.
