Tag Archives: dailyprompt

A meme spreads rapidly like a virus,knowing the qualities of those interested in pursuing this spread. Typically a hyper, detail surfer, who will be on to the next new thing before the digital clock on their phone moves onto the next minute. You might have already guessed “memes” are not my thing.

Richard Dawkins an evolutionary biologist coined the phrase in his book “The Selfish Gene” way back in 1976. He describes it as “a unit of cultural transmission”. Perhaps culture is a mite too fancy for the average meme. Which tries to reduce the human pscyche to it’s most basic building blocks.

Observational Comics must either love or hate them. The hyper comics need to be in with the “crowd” know the latest meme that is trending among the demographics they are trying to please. Yes, I can see it being a love or hate relationship, reducing a three minute , carefully thought out monologue into a cartoon or gif which says the same thing visually and very often for free.

Does this explain the demise of the fondess for observational comedy? Discuss in your own time, I haven’t finished my rant on memes.

The really trendy memes are more concise than my AI generated image, I cannot see the above generating lots of likes and re-blogs and shares.

No the real diamond memes are light-hearted and sum up an element of common culture which in it’s own time ( most likely the late ninteties) was ground breakingly popular.

Enter Rick Astley, his song “Never Gonna Give You Up” is the hook to arguably the most popular meme in the history of the Internet. The meme itself tricks users into watching the music video for the song. Clever eh? Harmless I suppose. Fun yes. And rightly so , for the generations who remember Rick, possibly even those who take an interest in Rick because they were introduced to him by the Meme, it introduces them to a wonderful musician and his music.

The dark side of Memes exists too, if you can be tricked into listening to Rick, what else can you be tricked into doing or believing. The problem is not being on trend and wanting to be. I’ve just googled “harmful memes” and it is a thing.

Bless google and bless AI it suggests the following to avoid harmful memes.

Is this meme making fun of someone’s looks , race or beliefs?

Does this make me feel angry or upset about a group of people?

Is this joke based on an unfair, sweeping rule?

The word “joke” is interesting, so memes are meant to be funny, Comics must hate them. In an audience maybe of up to five hundred people will many of them walk out of the theatre seriously damaged by what they have just heard? The audience can complain or give feedback.

Ramp that up to Internet access to the World of Social Media and I- pad parenting , is it possible that a meme can turn into a dangerous trope with no comeback whatsoever. I think so.

Which is why , the word meme is a word and “thing” I will always be wary of and I wish more people could see through it’s instant gratification.

Namaste and Thank You for Reading. 🙏

Siesta a tradition in rural Spain and other warm Mediterranean Countries, I mean why not. Does it matter if it’s cold outside , surely some warm soup and a sleep in the middle of the afternoon or indeed the morning would do us all good. We could stagger our work day so that there is no such thing as the five O’clock rush. It would be more natural and perhaps work sharing would become an attractive prospect.

Apply it to schools too, if AI is going to take over, then at least make everyone’s life enjoyable.

Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏

I wouldn’t have the heart to tell a tourist that they have made a mistake in their choice of itinerary when visiting my Country ( or any other for that matter). Surely it is up to them and after all they are on holiday.

All the other possible visitors well there are just too many comobulations to make this a serious prompt. Too many variables.

The businessman on a “presentation” tour who doesn’t understand that everyone is tired of listening to “pep” talks from senior executives who don’t know how anything works. To rock bands who expect people to pay £300 a head to see them play , even though they long ago gave their best and finally people who visit Parliament for the day to learn how “democracy ” works and if they are lucky get to see Black Rod banging on the door of some building which is long past it’s best and needs a multi million pound budget just to keep it from falling apart on a daily basis.

I could go on but I won’t…..

Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏

It’s got to be” Echo Beach” , because it’s about thinking about the beach.

Namaste and Thank You for Reading. 🙏

I used to be terminally shy,

Infact I wonder how I ever got by,

At a friends house I’d hide away,

Thinking I have nothing to say,

People would try to winkle me out,

My friends knew better and would shout,

” Leave her be, she’ll be alright”,

“She prefers it when she’s out of sight”,

They knew me well which was really lucky,

It took me a while to discover my “plucky”,

But why I did I suppose I know,

My bravery was put on show,

When you are loved and appreciated,

You can face the World and not feel defeated,

Those brave steps were made by me,

Because those around me let me be.

To master the art of believing in yourself,

You must first give up the thought you’re an elf,

For many will try to make you feel small ,

Even if you are ten feet tall,

Never worry about what other’s say,

For words are like the weather and change each day,

Find life funny because it really is,

It’s ups and downs are part of the business,

On living well you’ll get plenty of advice,

Just smile when you find your kids hair lice,

Don’t worry they’re only in their hair,

Unfortunately the shampoo gives them red spots,

Agree to their wish and throw away the expensive shampoo pots,

They always wanted to shave their head for a dare,

So walking down the street with your punkies in tow,

Ignore the looks and walk slow,

Smile and grin and make a memory,

For the best man’s speech at little Ruperts’ wedding ceremony,

That’s far in the future you tell me now,

But it’s the secret to giving life a bow

Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏

If you come to me looking for ideas,

Forgive me please if I give a big sneeze,

For the dust will have been disturbed,

And my dog will look perturbed,

As I jump up frantically looking for a tissue,

Amongst my copies of the Big Issue,

The secret of encouraging a subscriber

Particularly if you are a humble writer,

It is so obvious that most can see,

It’s not to charge and to make it free.

Once it hits the nerve,

Then the profits it will serve,

For then the frenzy will begin,

You might make it on to “News at Ten”,

In the meantime you can do your best,

To master the software of WordPress.

Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏