Internet Memes and World War 3: The Utilization of Dark Humor as a Coping Mechanism

January 3rd, 2020. I wake up to twitter rants and predictions of an upcoming World War, only hours after the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. The beginning of the decade has already witnessed 2 headlines: Pope Francis smacking a woman on the hand, and the prediction of yet another war in the Middle East. I continue to scroll through various social media platforms, and as I fill up with rage, I realize this is just yet another loophole in history; the collective reaction towards a global crisis. It didn't take long before the internet began swarming with jokes and receiving backlash for it, nor did it take long for me to realize that I'm taking part in a phenomenon I have researched about only 2 semesters ago, as a fresh university bean. I highlight some of my findings below:

Why humor in dire situations?

One explanation could be provided by Steven M. Sultanoff, in his article Levity Defies Gravity: Using Humor in Crisis Situations. "Humor is one of the healthiest and most powerful methods to help provide perspective on life's difficult experiences, and it is frequently shared during periods of crisis."

While there may be no single concrete answer for the effects of humor on society, by observing the ways humor gets utilized, the language it uses, the topics it handles, and in which situations, we can formulate a hypothesis as if to why it is so commonly used, whether because of the therapeutic effects of it in times of conflict, or the mere purpose of identifying oneself in certain groups.

Coexisting through memes

Undoubtedly, identification in humor acts as a crucial part when it comes to an internet meme's popularity; they become more prone to spread when they are deemed relatable, and act as a coping mechanism to minimize the threat of a condition. What John C. Meyer describes in his 'superiority theory'; "Laughing at faulty behavior can reinforce unity among group members, as a feeling of superiority over those being ridiculed can coexist with a feeling of belonging (Duncan, 1982)."

Juha Rindpää counterparts this by stating: "Humor functions as a form and forum of social criticism and at its best/worst can be utilized as a weapon against dominant authorities at a time of crisis."

Superiority Theory ---> Social criticism ---> Unity among members ---> weapon against authorities

Of course, this isn't the first time critical incidents have been exposed to ridicule and mockery, the amount of 9/11 related humor, for example, have become subject to a lot of criticism, some of them leading to further socio-political tensions and spreading of stereotypes. Whether through caricatures, comedy shows, or television skits, humor has long been a way to express worries and condemn power structures.

So why the memes? 

Due to their accessibility, internet memes, and social media in general, have given the individual a platform to express opinions without all the hassle. As opposed to political cartoons and comics, this alteration factor memes posses gives its users power over their oppressors, allowing them to use irony and sarcasm to describe the chaos we experience in our daily lives. We, therefore, notice the inevitable factors that drive a meme’s popularity beyond given cultures, social classes, or beliefs. The sense of identification it creates and the platform it offers to spread ideas makes the internet a prevailing mean of communication. 

Memes as a forum for social change

In conclusion, while some images have gone beyond humor to exploit further spreading of racism and xenophobia, most have acted as a catalyst for social awareness. The internet continues to shed light on marginalized communities, giving them a voice otherwise unheard. Humor can then be utilized to push for activism and hopefully a more empathetic outlook at times of war.