The notion of communication has
become a never ending change where new forms of technology alter the way one
communicates to another. Society learns to adapt and modify themselves based on
these new forms of communication technology. During class we have discussed how
media modes of production are constituted by two conceptual articulations. These
two articulations are embedded in social media. Within this blog post I will
argue how Thomas Paines’s pamphlet “Common
Sense” and “Ain't Nobody Got Time for That” meme, reflect these two modes
of articulation and the virality of social media.
“Going viral” has become a well-known concept within
the last few years. In order for media content to go viral, Kevin Allocca
states that three things need to happen. “1) the content is introduced into the
mediascape by a “taste maker” video; 2) community participation that creatively
transforms original content 3) the content must be “unexpected” or novel”. It is the production and distribution of
content where many people can simultaneously view and forward the message
during short period of time. This is evident in Paine's Common Sense and “Ain't Nobody Got Time for That” meme, for they
both went viral very quickly across many different locations.
The first articulation looks at
how media modes of production are simultaneously a mode of communication, modes
of affect, and mode of accumulation. This relates to Common Sense for the message received in the pamphlet holds a great
deal of meaning that spread to others. His message was delivered in a natural
and interesting way that sparked interest in the message. The second articulation
concerns how media artifacts and messages are brought into being and spread
through culture. Common Sense embodies this form of articulation because the
message was produced through print and distributed through word of mouth and by
hand.
“Ain't Nobody Got Time for That” meme
is about a women who’s complex caught on fire. A media networked interviewed
her and asked about the incident. This video went viral due to her humorous
story and responses. The video was reposted on Tosh.0 and then went to other
major popular culture sites such as Buzzfeed and Gawker. This viral video ties
into the second articulation with the way that the message was spread through
culture and society. People distributed this message through social media and
word of mouth. There was no specific reason to why this become popular and then
shared amongst millions.
Overall, the virility of these
two examples differs in many ways. With Common
Sense, there was no social media to spread the message, only through word
of mouth and paper that the message could reach locations. Messages needed to
be clear for people to understand them. However, with “Ain't Nobody Got Time
for That” meme, social media allowed this video to reach places all over the
world. There were many different forms of media such as, YouTube, Facebook,
Twitter that spreaded the message. With this use of communication technology that
we have today, there is an unlimited amount of circulation that can occur.
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ReplyDeleteBoth "Friday" by Rebecca Black and the "Ain't nobody got time for that" meme received a number of views because of Tosh. 0 acting as a Tastemaker. He used his comedy TV show as a platform where audience presence is high, and propelled both videos into fame. It is interesting to study and note the effect tastemakers have on our society and the ability they have to assist video reaching fame and popularity.
ReplyDeleteHey Lauren!
ReplyDeleteI find that the "Ain't Nobody Got Time For That" meme is still immensely popular among social media users and in conversations I find that people still use the phrase. This means and is representative of the fact that this meme was able to be of great influence among social media users. Having a tastemaker like Tosh. 0 definitely aided in the meme's popularity and through social media platforms that we have today, there is an unlimited and unfathomable amount of circulation that can occur through the sharing of the meme.
Great post Lauren!
ReplyDeleteReading this post I still think of how sometimes I jokingly still say this saying, which I started to say after this meme became viral. It's crazy to think that something that went viral so quickly is able to have this impact on us as users of the Internet (considering people like myself still say it today in everyday sentences). I believe that social media platforms that the meme was shared on along with the tastemaker led to its popularity. When something is shared by someone who is recognized, we as internet users feel even more inclined to watch and share which we also explored this with Jimmy Kimmel.
I'm happy that you brought up this meme because I believe that it is an extremely popular one and one that is important to discuss!
Good Job! I really agree with you when you say that our communication technology that we have today allows us to have an unlimited amount of circulation. In your example of "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That" meme, I saw that video go from a simple news cast that was posted online to a huge meme all over the internet. It also was made in to many songs and incorporated now within some people's everyday conversations. I know that even I will catch people saying that line and every time I think back to the original video I saw years ago. The circulation that we have achieved is incredible and has allowed things like a small funny news story to be known and recognized throughout the world.
ReplyDelete