Memes

https://www.sustainabilitysuperheroes.org/blog/15-hilarious-sustainability-memes-that-will-crack-you-up

1. The 3 memes I am analyzing all address the issue of plastic waste, which is an important environmental topic. They directly talk about eco-friendly actions that are practical and useful for new college students, helping them stay organized and minimize waste. College students, especially freshmen, often face challenges in managing their time, resources, and living spaces. These memes speak to the target audience, which is college students, because they emphasize easy-to-adopt sustainable actions that also contribute to personal organization. For example, using reusable bags or utensils not only helps the environment but also promotes an organized, minimalistic lifestyle that reduces clutter in students' dorm rooms or apartments. (Davidson, 121)

2. In Davidson's framework, the "ideal" of a meme refers to the core idea or concept. It communicates the underlying message that motivates behavior and shapes its manifestation. The three memes' ideals align with eco-friendly behaviors that encourage students to reduce waste and adopt sustainable habits in their daily lives.

   - For my first meme (number 6): The ideal of this meme is to limit the use of single-use plastics. This aligns with the eco-conscious movement to reduce environmental waste by encouraging the use of reusable alternatives like utensils. As Davison explains, memes often follow ideas that are "subject to interpretation and therefore to variation" (Davison, 122), and the main idea of this meme, which is to reduce plastic waste, can be read as an appeal for sustainable practices that also encourage organization by clearing out mess from disposable objects.

   - For my second meme (number 7): This meme's ideal is to shop with reusable bags, which not only benefits the environment but also encourages a well-organized lifestyle by minimizing the amount of plastic bags that end up in students' living spaces. It is Davison's argument that "the ideal dictates the behavior, which in turn creates the manifestation" (Davison, 123). In this case, the behavior (bringing your own bags to stores) is guided by the ideal (using reusable bags), which results in a more orderly and clean environment.

   - For my third meme (Number 11): The goal of this meme is to get rid of plastic straws and switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives like paper or reusable straws. Davison talks about how memes "are either taught to an organism or learned through experience" (Davison, 121). This ideal encourages healthy consumption and commitment to the environment, which are practical goals that students can apply in their everyday lives. Students are encouraged to cut back on needless plastic waste, which is a value that is related to being organized by cutting back on waste and mess.

3. All three memes promote easy, environmentally friendly behaviors, such as switching to reusable straws, bags, and utensils from single-use plastic ones. In each instance, the actions are centered on reducing waste and making environmentally friendly decisions. These actions originate from the drive to decrease plastic pollution and increase environmental movements. Due to the simplicity with which students can share these ideas with their peers on social media, they primarily spread. These eco-friendly practices become more popular and spread throughout campus communities as students observe their friends applying them.

4. These memes' manifestations are all pictures of environmentally friendly behaviors, such as a student drinking through a reusable straw, carrying a reusable shopping bag, or using reusable utensils. These manifestations stand out from other potential representations because they depict students taking real-world, everyday actions that directly reduce plastic waste. Rather than presenting abstract environmental messages, these visuals highlight practical, achievable behaviors. Because of this, college students who want to make minor but significant adjustments to their daily routines will find the memes relatable and actionable.

5. New college students find these memes appealing because they highlight simple, direct actions that can help them maintain organization and be environmentally conscious. The memes provide easy-to-implement strategies that freshmen can use to adapt to their new environment or their new life without feeling overwhelmed. Reusable straws, bags, and utensils assist students in living more sustainably, reducing mess, and avoiding plastic waste. Students may easily realize the negative effects of these acts and be motivated to include them in their new routines by the relatable and clear visuals of them.