The 2020 election was a time of great change, and memes played an undeniable role in the political discourse of the period. Memes have become an increasingly important form of communication and expression, both for political actors and the public alike. In this blog post, we will explore the political power of memes and how they influenced the 2020 election. We will look at the types of memes used, the topics they highlighted, and the impact they had on the electorate. Finally, we will discuss the implications of this phenomenon for future elections. So, read on to learn more about the political power of memes and how they shaped the 2020 election.
What are memes?
Memes are a form of digital communication that is rapidly becoming an essential tool for shaping public discourse, particularly in politics. A meme is typically a still image, video, or phrase that is shared online with the intention of creating a humorous, relatable, or thought-provoking response from the viewer. Memes often contain political commentary, social satire, or ironic jokes, and they can be used to share information about current events, popular trends, and political campaigns. The term “meme” was first coined in 1976 by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins to describe how ideas spread through culture. Since then, memes have become an important part of popular culture and have been used in everything from comedy to advertising.
Memes can take many forms, but some of the most popular types of memes include reaction images (a still image of a person or object expressing a particular emotion), captioned photos (where a photo is accompanied by a funny or insightful caption), GIFs (moving images or videos with text or audio overlays), and catchphrases (words or phrases that become part of popular culture). Despite the wide variety of memes available, one common thread is that all memes seek to elicit an emotional response from viewers and encourage them to share it with others.
The history of political memes
Political memes have been around for quite some time. In the early 2000s, political blogs and forums began using images, GIFs, and other forms of media to convey messages about political issues. The use of memes became popularized during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, when Barack Obama’s campaign used them to create a sense of humor and relatability among supporters.
Since then, political memes have become an integral part of the political landscape. They are used by both campaigns and grassroots activists to communicate messages in a humorous and engaging way. Political memes can be found on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit, as well as on blogs and other online forums.
Political memes come in many forms, from pictures with funny captions to GIFs and videos. They often express opinions about current events or satire political figures. Memes can also be used to challenge ideas, attack opponents, and even start new movements.
Memes have become a powerful tool in the political arena. They can shape public opinion, increase voter turnout, spread awareness of important issues, and draw attention to certain candidates or policies. For example, in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Bernie Sanders’ meme-filled campaign was successful in gaining support from young voters.
In recent years, political memes have become increasingly influential in shaping public discourse. From the lighthearted to the serious, they have become an important part of the conversation.
The rise of Trump memes
In the 2016 election, Donald Trump’s often inflammatory statements and his embrace of social media created an ideal environment for the spread of political memes. These memes were used to mock and attack the President, often depicting him as a fool or ignorant. Many of these memes also depicted Trump as an adversary to the progressive ideals of the left. As the 2020 election approached, the number of Trump memes proliferated, becoming a powerful force in the political conversation.
The power of Bernie Sanders memes
Bernie Sanders memes had a huge impact during the 2020 US Presidential election. During the primaries, Sanders was highly popular with the online meme community, resulting in thousands of memes about him being shared on social media. These memes were often humorous and played off of his distinctive appearance and stances on certain issues. This helped to bring attention to Sanders’ campaign, making him a more visible candidate and helping him gain support. In addition, many of the memes painted Sanders in a favorable light, helping to create a positive public perception of him.
The influence of COVID-19 memes
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in political meme usage, with many memes poking fun at the various responses to the crisis. These memes have had a significant influence on the 2020 election, with some memes becoming viral and helping to shape public opinion on certain issues. Many of these memes also highlighted the importance of voting and encouraged people to get out and vote. While these memes may seem trivial, they have become an important part of the political landscape and have had a lasting impact on the outcome of the election.