Memes: Poor Images in the Age of High-Resolution Content
This article explores the nature of internet memes and their complex relationship with socio-political and economic structures. Starting with Hito Steyerl's theory of the "poor image," the author argues that memes, as a dominant form of the contemporary poor image, reflect the affective condition of the masses and social reality. The piece critiques the tendency to simplify and personalize cultural phenomena like memes, suggesting this "not that deep" attitude stems from ingrained individualism and anti-intellectualism, hindering systemic critique and solutions to societal problems. The author calls for a critical engagement with cultural trends and collective action to address systemic issues, rather than resorting to individual moral judgment.