Social Chameleon

This headline is probably already out of date

Posted by Erin under Found in the tubes

The goons over at Something Awful are onto something here regarding the effects of the pace of technology on humor …

[I]f Seinfeld episodes like “The Soup Nazi” had aired ten years later, think of how much more grating the reaction would have been. Millions of images of Jason Alexander emblazoned with the caption “I LIEK SOUPS.” Millions more pictures of the Soup Nazi, posted in retaliation: “NO MOAR SOUPS.” Naruto music videos based on the joke. Soup references in every webcomic. Soup Nazi cosplay. Peak Oil reached. Ron Paul elected President. The world’s volcanoes erupt in unison. All because the Internet ruins everything.

How to Ruin a Joke

I can has con?

Posted by Erin under Brainco, Found in the tubes

Oh man, where the heck have I been? How am I just now finding out about ROFLcon? Where some of the greatest internet memes and leaders of the LOLosphere gathered to discuss the future of internet culture. Half my bookmark list was there: Homestar Runner, xkcd, Cyanide and Happiness, Drew Curtis, Stuff White People Like, Diesel Sweeties. The list goes on.

So why is this so great? It’s and acknowledgment that all these seemingly light humor pieces floating around the tubes are actually powerful tools which can rapidly forge bonds between people around the globe. Randall Munroe put it more succinctly than I ever could:

XKCD: There is a mindset that people share, but aren’t aware they share. XKCD helps them discover each other.

I collect lolcats. I even went as one for Halloween. Being plugged into these memes will one day help me in my career. The best way to talk to geeks (heck, any group) is to speak their language, get inside their heads and show that you’re one of them. Genuinely.  We know what missing the mark can look like. Whether through direct references or via the same channels of communications, this is the way advertisers can most quickly reach Gen-Y.

I will know that I have made it in this industry when I’m pulling down mad money to slap Impact cutlines over photos of cute animals. Just you wait.