Memes+Digital+Project

Hey Cara, They Shit uoGuelph says sound like a great idea! Kelsey

Hey Maya, My friends that go to Queens showed me a Shit Queen's Says video. Maybe it's time for a Shit uoGuelph says? Just an idea! - Cara

I've been trying to think of ways to incorporate the whole Shit Girls Say phenomenon into a media project but without simply jumping on the bandwagon by making another Shit Say video! Any ideas??

Maya

I agree, part of why we think they are funny is the fact that we can relate to them in some way. It becomes funny when we understand the caption and we automatically refer to past memes that include the same picture. In particular, the Guelph ones (to me) are hilarious because I can relate to them and they take a common experience many people have had and spin it in a funny way. I saw this video a while ago, and I will admit I teared up a bit... [|meme proposal video]

It is strange to think that even 3 years ago, this would have never happened, but the popularity of memes on the internet made his proposal relevant for today. Possible project idea: maybe creating new memes that describe some specific group/demographic?

(Also, and this is the English major in me, did anybody notice the word 'meme' is just 'me' repeated? Its kind of like saying, "These pictures are all about //me// and my wacky, funny experiences, ideas and opinions!")

-Hillary

Hey everyone, I made this page to start brainstorming ideas about a possible digital project. I have no specific ideas, but think this new "Guelph Memes" page on facebook is interesting and there might be something to talk about. Memes are interesting in the way they connect a sort of consciousness between people and I'm wondering why. Anyone have any ideas?

Here's the Guelph Memes facebook page. in case someone hasn't checked it out yet.

- Braeden

side-note: the word "meme" is actually in the dictionary, it means: an element of a culture or system of behaviour that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, esp. imitation.

-Eli

Just checked out the meme wikipedia page, I'm all up to date now on the history/meaning!

Maya,

I think the Shit Says videos are similar to memes in a way. I think that they both offer those moments where people go, "aha I've totally noticed that!" I think if we talk about that connection there's a definite project in there somewhere. I'm an English major so I'm always down to talk about the weird quirky things that I notice.

- Braeden

Hilary,

I like your idea of making some memes. Feel free to post any you come up with on this page. I'll see if I can think of anything. Maybe use this picture for a few.

- Braeden

Hi everyone,

I absolutely love this idea! It sounds like so much fun. I'm in my Fourth year and for some reason this idea made me think of creating something like "what I really learnt at Guelph University" digital meme and video archive. Just an idea.

- Tessa

Hey Everyone,

If any of you are still interested in breaking down some memes I've made a Tumblr page here. I'm calling it the Memesection Project just because that was the first thing I could think of. I'm not in any way sold on that name if you have some good puns that could title the blog feel free to share on this page. Basically, all I want to do to start off is get people posting memes and explain why it's meaningful, or what makes it meaningful to you If you want to add memes to the page you can either click the link on the right side of the Tumblr page or you can give me your e-mail adress so I can make you an admin (it'll be easier this way if you plan on making several posts). If you have any other ideas for the page or any questions or concerns post them on this page. I'll try to make some posts tomorrow.

Thanks,

Braeden

Hey Braeden, Could you make me a admin? I can think of a few I would like to post, my email is tessa@uoguelph.ca THANKS!!

Tessa

Tessa,

I sent you an invite to join the page. Once you join the page I can make you an admin.

- Braeden

Braeden, Tessa, Maya, Cara, Hilary & Eli annnnnd everyone else!

Do you mind if i join in on the fun? I get a good hearty laugh out of (most) of the Memes and the "Shit Says" and I love the idea of making a personal video or photo archive of the various Guelph-ite lingo, slang, and habits! I am now a member of Tumblr, my URL is [], and i'm following the Tumblr page you have going for this project. Would you mind if I also became an admin and help post and update and we could make this into perhaps lighthearted digital media project that our class can all relate with as well as other UOG students? My email address is harveym@uoguelph.ca, and I am picking up a friends video camera tomorrow and would hopefully like to start making a few video clips perhaps of students and our common mindsets...is this somewhat the path you were headed with this project?

- Melanie

I had just sent this as a private message to Dean, although I think it is more effective for me to post it right here on the discussion board for this project! :)

..This was my message!

Hey Dean!

I don't want to overstep anyone or put down any of the great ideas that have been discussed so far within the Memes project discussion board, but I had an idea for the Memes Digital Project that I thought I would run by you. As I was searching through Guelph Memes and UOGproblems on Twitter to add to the Tumblr page (which thank you for inviting me to the page), I realized a recurring theme of issues with Guelph Transit. Myself personally had been effected by Guelph Transit system when I was unable to get to or from work at certain times, especially on Sundays. I know a lot of people have many criticisms for the new Guelph Transit system and schedules, and would like their voices heard. Perhaps we could take a spin on Guelph Memes and direct our focus on making a humorous compilation of common issues with Guelph Transit (through memes, twitter hashtags, and video and photo evidence) and later as a sort of DIY movement if it falls into that category, send it to the Guelph Transit contacts and see what response we might get. It's just an Idea, but I figure it would be both fun and purposeful for Guelph students and an easier way for us to create this digital media project together as a group. Let me know what you think..I don't know if you'll get this before class but if you want to stay after class for 5 or ten minutes and we can all catch each other up on our ideas and what not we could have an easier time working on it.. Either way! I will be in class tonight and although I don't really know anyone personally in this class I just sort of show up and listen haha I will try and find you..I;i'll be wearing a pink T-shirt! If you get this later, you can contact me through my cell, my number is 519 830 2102  begin_of_the_skype_highlighting   519 830 2102  end_of_the_skype_highlighting  or email which is harveym@uoguelph.ca This is just an idea, and I totally will drop it if you think its silly..I just don't really know how to begin the group aspect of these digital projects...but talk to you soon and I'll forward this too the others who have posted on the board! Thanks, Mel

What do you guys think?

- Melanie

I'm also going to add that perhaps we can take an "Annoymous" type spin on it, these guys seem to be really popular and maybe it could be something we could work with as well? Just another idea bouncing about in my head, don't fully know how it could fit...

Melanie! I love your idea taking what we gather about the guelph transit system and DOING something with it! In the conversations above a few people have mentioned making funny videos, I think it would be really easy to think of different scenarios that we commonly experience and film reflecting on them or the actual frustrating problem. I have access to great cameras and lighting through zav so we can use those to make the film. But to add value to this project instead of just humour we could do what you suggested and take our concerns to the transit system. Maybe we won't show them the funny video but we can gather all this information in the process of creating the film. The presentation in class would be nice- here's a funny video but we actually did something about it and here's the response we got. If you're still interested I'd like to pursue your idea. -Kayla

Kayla,

I did not notice your post down here, I am so sorry for such a late response! I'm hoping to find a legitimate project to collaborate on and this one seems like it could really work! I have began collecting as many 'meme's' as I could related to the guelph transit and they are actually very funny! I was thinking a good way to possibly get some outside input in this 'protest' again the new transit system, along side your master video skills (which exites me!), would be to perhaps post memos within or near the various transit stops with contact information like an email and even hand out cards to ask students to send in comments, videos, and pictures of there frustration with Guelph Transit and then send the final project to guelph transit itself? I will be working tomorrow morning and can make all the cards and posters there and will begin to post them throughout guelph tomorrow afternoon and spread the word to really get this ball rolling. We should get together soon if you are still interested (as i know this is SO super late in reply) and really make this into a project we can present to our class, both humorous and meaningful. Let me know if you are still interested my email is harveym@uoguelph.ca and my number is 519 830 2102  begin_of_the_skype_highlighting   519 830 2102  end_of_the_skype_highlighting. I understand if you feel its now too late, I had just not yet seen your post! I do hope we can though, as this could really become something?

Also anyone else who would be interested in this idea, feel free to contact me! Personally I am finding it hard to find a group to collaborate with as I don't really know anyone outside of this class, but I don't bite, so send me a text, email or give me a call and we can make this into an awesome collaborative project! - Mel