This is honestly a great case for the “memes are modern hieroglyphics” argument.
Imagine archeologists unearthing this meme in 10000 years and trying to decipher it. They’d never be able to, because it requires a LOT of external knowledge (which can only realistically be obtained by living through the present times) to make any sense.
Hieroglyphs were relatively easy in comparison. They just needed enough translated material as a reference to be almost universally understood.
Memes are shifting on a year to year basis and are sensitive to news events. There are people that are going to spend their entire lives looking for a specific meme or event that will allow them to understand another meme. And with the occasional “vintage” meme references there’s even lots of opportunity for dramatic eureka moments when an expert on 2000s memes finally provides the missing clue for a 2030s meme.
Edit: and for their sake I hope someone is backing up the Urban Dictionary and Know Your Meme in several nuclear bunkers.
This is honestly a great case for the “memes are modern hieroglyphics” argument.
Imagine archeologists unearthing this meme in 10000 years and trying to decipher it. They’d never be able to, because it requires a LOT of external knowledge (which can only realistically be obtained by living through the present times) to make any sense.
Hieroglyphs were relatively easy in comparison. They just needed enough translated material as a reference to be almost universally understood.
Memes are shifting on a year to year basis and are sensitive to news events. There are people that are going to spend their entire lives looking for a specific meme or event that will allow them to understand another meme. And with the occasional “vintage” meme references there’s even lots of opportunity for dramatic eureka moments when an expert on 2000s memes finally provides the missing clue for a 2030s meme.
Edit: and for their sake I hope someone is backing up the Urban Dictionary and Know Your Meme in several nuclear bunkers.