Internation Studies, FLAME presents a workshop on

Seize the memes of production: Internet memes as an Expression of Post-millennial Insecurity

By

Anunaya Rajhans, Ashoka University

Abstract

We live in a world of hypermemetic logic where everything that happens around us seems to spawn memes in the participatory culture of the internet. All cultures, whether online or IRL have their artefacts and Memes can be understood as the cultural artefacts of cyberculture. This two day workshop is meant to be an academic introduction to internet memes and what we can learn about online identity and online communities through memetic artefacts. Using this as scaffolding, the workshop will zoom in to the figure of the post-millennial and the security challenges specific to this demographic, mostly in terms of self identification and mental well being. These will include, but is not limited to anonymity, trolling, shitposting, cyberbullying, wholesome etc. The workshop aims to be hands on with a meme making component where we will take up the memes created by the participants, for close reading and analysis in a way that ensures that the ends justify the memes. 

Anunaya Rajhans has a Masters in English Literature from Shiv Nadar University and he currently teaches Critical Writing using Memes and Internet Culture to Young India Fellows at Ashoka University. He is also the supervisor for a project called "Media Action Against Rape" (MAAR) for UNESCO and Bournemouth University, which is an ongoing two year long study of how rape is reported in Indian news media and how to make it better.