Of Epic proportions - The Meme phenomenon

The Meme is here. It lurks everywhere, crawling all over the Web. You've seen it, read it and probably thought that it was some sort of obscure gibberish. But the Meme is not to be taken lightly. It is not merely some nonsensical secret language or code; it is an invisible bond that today unites entire Web communities. It has shaped an underground network that connects individuals in climes remote, shrinking the world to yet newer proportions.

This blog post explores the Meme. As you delve into secrets untold and learn to decipher a whole new worldwide web of creativity unleashed and humour gone wild, you will notice that my tone will ping-pong between that of the stoical lecturer and that of the dreamy back-bench student. But, I'm only sticking to the dichotomic paradigm of this blog. On one hand, the Meme is a very elaborate abstract concept fertile in philosophical intricacies, and on the other hand the Meme is a very contemporary humour phenomenon in Web culture. So please bear with me!

The Meme as an abstract concept 

What is the Meme, you will ask. Well, Merriam-Webster will tell you that a Meme is an idea, behaviour or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. The Meme can be broken down to a unit bearing a cultural significance,transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, visuals, gestures, mimics or other repeatable phenomena. The Meme is, by definition, an interesting thought to dwell upon. One fertile with philosophical considerations and musings.

The term 'meme' is derived from the Ancient Greek word 'mīmēma', meaning 'to imitate'. Both the word and the concept are relatively new and sprung from the mind of British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene (1976). Dawkins coined the abstract notion to encompass the set of evolutionary principles in explaining the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. Thus, Dawkins makes an analogy between the spread of ideas and biological evolution through the process of natural selection. Meme ideas or memes spread through the behaviours that they induce in their hosts and undergo variations along the way. Some become extinct while others proliferate.

Food for thought, aye? Ideas have always spread like wildfire, bringing forth changes, good or bad, as they trigger irremediable chain reactions in the brain and in society. Once an idea is out of Pandora's box, there is no stopping the Domino effect. This is why some will have it that you do not think outside the box, that you don't bite into the apple of knowledge or that you don't google the word freedom. They can shoot the messenger, but they can't shoot the message. Interesting thing, this Meme. In today's world where an idea can be shared to hundreds of millions across the globe in a matter of seconds, what are the implications?

Humans have evolved to produce ideas, what now if rapidly evolving ideas are driving humans to evolve even faster? Far-fetched? Not really. Look at the world around you and see how it has changed. Remember the rotary dial telephone, the walkman, the VHS, USSR, the Berlin wall, Apartheid, life before Internet? You don't have to be a venerable sage or an old-timer to remember all that, being in your late twenties would suffice. Ideas are rushing by, carving out within our lifetime and in front of our bedazzled eyes, not one but several brave new worlds. 

Memes - ideas diffusing rapidly and evolving through behavioural changes induced in their hosts - is one theory that you are bound to encounter again as it gathers momentum, shedding light and delivering critical insight on today's age information and technology. 

The Meme as Web phenomenon

The second part of this abstract is way less academic and much more...fun! If you're a well-rounded consumer of entertainment and pop art, into geek culture, an Internet addict, or simply a curious fella, then you've probably already heard of the Meme Theory through The Big Bang Theory. TV shows and movies are major generators of Internet Meme. "Hope you're hungry", "Still a better love story than Twilight", "How you doin'?", "This is Sparta!" are but a few examples. Get it? Well, this is what the Meme is about - getting it. 

If you don't, you're not in the loop. But fear not, you'll be shouting out loud "I see what you did there" soon enough given that you've knocked at the right door for insider information. I'm handing out red pills to the other side for free. Memes have always existed wherever you have a decent or indecent community within which the members share common cultural codes which intentionally or unintentionally sounds like plain gabble and vain goobledygook to outsiders. Internet Memes however, have the particularity of benefiting from visual support and instant worldwide propagation capacity. An epidemic of epic proportions, it is Sir.

Web-based Memes have steadily risen in popularity with the advent of a generation born in and raised on the Internet Culture. A community to be reckoned with, as Nescafé found out only a few weeks ago when a member of the 9GAG community expressed his despair online after the unfair disqualification of his handicapped brother from a competition organized by Nescafé Hungary. The 9GAG army literally gagged Nescafé's Facebook page, forcing the company into some action to save its public image. Nescafé found itself donating 5 million Hungarian forints to charity for disabled persons, out of sheer Internet pressure. 

And I must say, having witnessed this moment live on the Web, there was something comforting in seeing youngsters from all over the world, united by a shared sense of humour and an odd sense of community,  gang up on a multinational to seek justice for their brethren. A new, budding community at play, one that knows no frontier - physical, racial or of creed, and one which is already shaping its own future world.

Share the joke

I recently overheard this joke and felt like sharing it with my audience. It's not Art-related, but what the heck, a good laugh is never one too many. By the way, this joke is brilliant because you don't actually have to say the punchline...

Hint: try reading it aloud.

What is the difference between a nun praying and a nun bathing?

***********************

One's got hope filling her soul, 

while the other...

Basilisk: The Kōga Ninja Scrolls

Basilisk Kōga Ninpō Chō or Basilisk: The Kōga Ninja Scrolls is a Japanese anime based on the manga bearing the same name. For neophytes, a manga is a printed cartoon, i.e. the Japanese version of Western comics. Contrarily to North American comics, the manga genre is more rooted in arts and has a higher cultural standing in Japan much like the bande dessinée is valued in France. The anime is simply the animated version for TV. Japanese anime is often coined as Japanime. Most Otaku, i.e. aficionados of Japanese manga and anime, tend to prefer the manga, probably out of some degree of pedantry. I, for one, really enjoy and recommend the anime, be it just for the beautifully crafted and truly immersive music that accompanies the animated version.

Basilisk, the manga was written by Masaki Segawa and published in 2003. The manga itself is based on the novel The Kouga Ninja Scrolls by Futaro Yamada in 1958. The anime, produced in 2005, is relatively recent considering the three to four years' delay for Japanese artworks to impact the rest of the world.

Now that I've given you some background, let's indulge in this rare delicacy that is Basilisk!

Basilisk stands out as a particularly violent anime, depicting a cruel time and world. It is overtly gore, sensual, and delicate at the same time. Ruthlessness sublimed to an art form. Not that I'm taking an easy ride on the Japanese stereotype for cruelty and war. Far from that, I'm talking about the finer details. The fall of sakura (cherry) leaves in the opening scene for instance gives you a perfect insight of the Japanese eye for beauty. The images, whether dark or enlivening, and the symbolic turn of sequences marvellously illustrate Japanese Aesthetics. The anime is also greatly enriched with constant references to Japanese history and culture.

The story is set in 17th century mystical Japan. In a nutshell, it is about two Ninja Clans pitted against each other in a bitter blood feud as a result of schemes for power being played out from afar by an indifferent and calculating ruling class. The aim of the game for each Clan is to eliminate ten ninjas belonging to the opposite faction, listed on a scroll. The first Clan to eliminate its ten targets secures the Shogun's favour. For the Shogun, this exercise serves to decide which of his two grandsons will be heir to the throne, without spilling royal blood or risking civil war. The Ninjas are outcasts gifted with extraordinary powers. By having the two Clans serve death to each other, the Shogun also reduces their threat potential. Intertwined with the plot is a powerful, romantic love story of the likes you'll rarely come across. A twisted tale of ill-fated lovers told in tears of blood.


The way Basilisk's plot unfolds is rather unique to say the least. This fast-paced anime lasts only 24 episodes, lavishly dealing out death to its characters. Herein lies the beauty and uniqueness. As soon as you get attached to a protagonist, the latter gets killed and the story goes on. Bearing in mind the historical background against which the plot is set, it's a powerful metaphor for the unrelenting course of History - stopping for no one.


Without any further ado, here is the first episode for your viewing pleasure:
(IMPORTANT: Don't miss the little bit after the closing credits, that's where the real story starts!)

*Basilisk Episode 1 - English subs*

Below are some historical events related to Basilisk's plot.

Both Iga-ryū ("the Iga School") and Kōga-ryū were historical schools of ninjutsu, i.e. dealing with the stealth Ninja arts of warfare and espionage.

• 1579: Oda Nobukatsu (son of Oda Nobunaga) attacked Iga Province and was beaten.
• 1581: Oda Nobunaga attacked and destroyed Iga Province
• 1582: Incident at Honnōji - Oda Nobunaga died.
• 1603: Edo period started. Tokugawa Ieyasu re-established the shogunate (third and last in Japan's history) and became the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
• 1605: Tokugawa Hidetada became the second shogun.
• 1614: Winter Campaign of the Siege of Osaka - Tokugawa attacked Toyotomi Hideyori.
• 1615: Summer Campaign of the Siege of Osaka - Toyotomi clan perished.
• 1616: Tokugawa Ieyasu died.
• 1623: Tokugawa Iemitsu became the third shogun.

It is also worth mentioning that the powerful opening theme Kouga Ninpou Chou is the work of Onmyouza.

When Metal was Heavy

I am the Messiah, rising from the black depths of a forgotten past buried under the dirt of a prolonged decadence called civilisation. As The Angel of Death towers above your puny corrupted being, tendrils of divine darkness emanate from shadowy wings and viciously penetrate your lurid eyes to rip away at your dormant soul. This is your redemption. Wake up motherfucker! Rise from this sleepwalking army of lifeless zombies and awaken the Kraken within. Hear the Ancient Call of rampaging Wilderness, heed the impulse of primal instincts! Listen up as I flood your dead ears with burning torrents of the heavy metal of days gone by.

In the grave of yesterday,you will find your roots again. Remember what manhood sounded like in the 90's:

Sepultura is the probably the best heavy metal band that the Southern Hemisphere ever gave birth to.

Plunge into the jungles of  sound gone wild.

Still down South, this time in Texas, Pantera was far beyond driven when it came to making an old-fashioned stand, a vulgar display of power.

Afterall, it is War.

Who the fuck are We? Just a bunch of freaks on a leash. Children of the Korn of some sort. So, watch your back.

We are here to remind you what music is. What it is meant to be.

Before it is too late. Before you give us no choice but to unleash our Dark side on your sorry ass. Before the Apocalypse.

Repent or perish

iCulture

Aux naufragés du Web qui viennent s'échouer sur ma page, voici quelques vivres qui vous aideront à reprendre des forces et continuer votre trajet, le coeur leste, sur l'océan de la vie. Sustentez-vous de culture, moussaillons, abreuvez-vous l'âme, mes gaillards !

Même si l'air du temps présage quelques houles dans sa qualité future, nous sommes néanmoins chanceux de vivre dans cette ère de la technologie où la culture est une pomme à porter de main pour l'Homme bien avisé. L'ère de l'iCulture est arrivée à bon port. Mais pour le marin novice, le danger est grand de se perdre dans les flots non canalisés d'informations. Attention à la marée noire d'une ignorance trop bien nourrie par une mer de déchets. Il faut nager à contre-courant vers ces petits ilots bien gardés. Loin dans la brume, se cachent des Edens de connaissance. Alors, camarades, venez, le vieux loup de mer vous montre sa carte au trésor.



ARTE Radio propose une myriade de podcasts qui feront votre bonheur. À l'image des extraits bilingues de poèmes de Hölderlin, ARTE joue la carte européenne avec un accent particulier sur le duo franco-allemand. Mais ARTE c'est surtout le pouls de La Francophonie en action - la créativité en effervescence, libre de censure, la culture qui vibre au présent. Les rubriques vont du documentaire à la fiction, en passant par reportages, chroniques, lectures, etc.

Permettez-moi de prendre congé en vous laissant avec ce podcast d'humour, une vraie petite perle qui illustre sans prétentions et avec une clarté déconcertante le monde du travail d'aujourd'hui. Je vous conseille particulièrement l'épisode 3.

The soul of India - L'âme de l'Inde

Voici une lueur qui vacille au gré d'une flamme mélancolique. Je vous propose de vous laisser aller à cette chanson poignante qui capture l'essence même de l'âme romantique de l'Inde. La chanson s'intitule "Woh Lamhe", soit "Ces instants". Le clip est extrait du film Zeher et contient une traduction amateur qui ne rend pas très bien la poésie des paroles, mais au pis aller cela vous donne une idée de la chose. Afin de vous donner un minimum de contexte, l'histoire qui sous-tend la chanson est celle d'un couple en route pour conclure leur divorce et durant le trajet fatidique l'homme se remémore le début de leurs amours.


Here's a poignant song that captures and vibrates with the very essence of the Indian soul. "Woh Lamhe" meaning "those moments" echoes the romantic flame of India and its perpetual shadow of melancholy. The clip comes from the Bollywood movie Zeher and contains an amateur translation which doesn't really get the gist of the poetry conveyed by the hindi lyrics, but well it'll give you a general idea. The song is about a couple that has drifted apart and their whispered recollections of the love gone by.

Basterds deserving a tad more glory, I'd say

It's all in the name sometimes. Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece deserved way better than to be boiled down to "a classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining," as the critics would have it. The flick did of course make it as a huge box-office hit and got a decent amount of Academy Award nominations. But in the face of Tarantino's trademark for gore unleashed, critics failed to perceive the subtleness and finesse in the background. Be it the plot, the unrelenting movie rhythm, the top-notch acting, Inglourious Basterds is two and a half hours of pure delight and a treasure trove of details for cinema lovers. Also, you need to be able to manage in more than one language to truly relish this tremendous work of art. The movie juggles with English, French, German and a tad of Italian. Being fluent in the first three languages, you can take my word for it that Tarantino did a hell of a good job to make this movie a world-class one in the finest of details, despite an orgy of violence, all in good taste mind you. Allow me to help you revisit or discover this movie with a handful of well-chosen excerpts.

My first excerpt, which I dubbed "The Jew Hunter", is the movie's opening scene. It begins with a slow pace but builds up tension gradually. Christoph Waltz plays Colonel Hans Landa and Denis Menochet plays LaPadite. For this role, Waltz won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival and reaped an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor. It seems only Cannes thought outside of Manichean B&W lines and understood that Landa was the pivotal, if not the lead character of the movie. Anyway, back to the excerpt. Here you'll see a true picture of France under the Occupation. The manner with which Colonel Landa mentally breaks down the farmer is an intricate piece of genius. An iron fist in a velvet glove. Hats off for the acting, script and the nerve-racking build-up.

Hungry for more? Here's the second excerpt that I've dubbed "Gestapo Games". Here, a group of Basterds undercover meet up with a German spy in a tavern when their plans get foiled by a most undesirable fly in the spy soup, a Machiavellian and cunning Gestapo officer. That's for the context, now I need to give you a few pointers. The German actress, Bridget von Hammersmark (beautifully played by Jennifer van der Schaaf), is an icon of the pre-war German actress, a blue copy of say Marlene Dietrich in Sternberg's "Der Blaue Engel". And did I say spy? The role of Lt. Archie Hicox, the British undercover spy, is an intrinsic pun at the expense of James Bond movies. The part is played by Michael Fassbender, an actor of immense talent who gave the full measure of his worth in his role as Magneto in X-Men First Class. It is worth mentioning, before viewing the excerpt and once you view it you'll understand why, that Fassbender is of German and Irish parentage. Tarantino went to great lengths for his casting! Last but certainly not least, a word on our Gestapo man, Major Hellstrom. He deals the cards  in this excerpt, and makes the Basterds play a little guessing game. The game is far from being devoid of significance. It shows us two things. First how cunning and perfectly methodical the Gestapo Major is in his logical thinking process. So deutsch, ja. And second, w.r.t to his answer and King Kong, we catch a glimpse of the lines along which he thinks. Seriously, just the script for this game bit bedazzles me. 

N.B.: There's a slight quirk in the translation that does not fully render the sharpness of Major Hellstrom's remark when he confronts Lt. Hicox as being "Captain I-don't-know-what" after he cleverly identified  the other two Basterds as Öbersturmführer Munich and Öbersturmführer Frankfort. In German, he says Hauptsturmführer Heimatlos, which means Captain without a country and as such the remark is much more of a jab to our British spy.

I mentioned the meticulous casting earlier on. Quentin Tarantino's trump card in that perspective would definitely be Sylvester Groth for, erm, bringing Goebbels back to life.

光

Au menu aujourd'hui, un mini cours de japonais !

Lumière en japonais se traduit par le mot Hikari. Dans le système d'écriture japonais, ce mot est joliment et succinctement représenté par le Kanji - 光.

Pourquoi je vous parle de ça ? Parce que j'aimerais vous faire découvrir une chanteuse nippone qui sait transformer la lumière en paroles.

Utada Hikaru is a singer from Japan who can bottle up light (Hikari) in her songs. Enjoy!

Hikari, 光 - Utada Hikaru

Like it? The lyrics are worth your time, check it out!

Vous aimez ? Alors, en cadeau, les paroles ! 

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