Meme Me Up👽

Rein on All Fronts

By Charles Rein

Recently, I re-watched the 2023 animated film, 'Leo.' It's a film about a lizard pushing the age of 75 when "most lizards die."

Naturally concerned about his upcoming demise, AKA "death", Leo, an elementary classroom mascot (voiced by Adam Sandler), is frightened that he may "not have much time left!"

Leo is concerned regarding his legacy, which I'm sure some of my "seasoned" readers (AKA mature) can relate to! There's a scene in which the classroom's beloved teacher will be temporary replaced with "a sub" - a substitute teacher. The children playfully talk with one another how they'll trick the sub, since she's not a "real teacher." 

While some students would argue that "a sub" isn't a substitute for a regular teacher, I would like to argue that a meme isn't a substitute for a real face-to-face conversation.

I recently saw a post by a conservative acquaintance. The post was a meme of a high- ranking member from the opposition political party who had been called "soulless" the day before. Without getting into details the meme made me cringe, but flipped on my curiosity switch. 

If you're not familiar with a meme it's defined as "an idea, behavior, or style that spreads ...from person to person." Hmmm. Doesn't this sound like a virus to you? "A meme... often carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme." Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they "self-replicate and mutate" according to Wikipedia. 

In my opinion, a meme is not a substitute for real in-depth conversation. I'm concerned we may be losing the ability to listen, converse, engage, even respectfully debate. When feeling frustrated, the minute things get too challenging many of us reach for a one-dimensional form of communication - like a meme - in an attempt to express our anger.

Now a meme originally was seen as lighthearted and playful, similar to a gag cartoon, which was usually a single-panel comic. The problem is that, like a virus, it can figuratively mutate into political anger, and it spreads ...from person to person to person to...YOU!

Why is this? Many reasons. Were you aware that during a heated argument (political or otherwise) the higher part of our brain can switch off like a light switch? Say "Goodbye!" to logical reasoning and emotional regulation. Think of someone telling you to calm down in a heated argument. Your response is probably going to be to tell them to go to He**-double hockysticks!! Me? I'd prefer Miami!

So, instead of using the higher reasoning portions of the brain, our so called "backup lizard" or "reptile brain" switches on (sorry Lizard Leo); our conversations decrease rapidly into name calling. Sound familiar?

You know your lizard brain is engaged when you become incensed:

-believing the other side (those who don't agree with us) aren't Americans; 

-start labeling others; using words like "souless, evil, libtard"; referring to them as "the enemy," rather than political opponents.

What happened to real face-to-face conversations? When you engage with friends, family members and neighbors there is usually a calm, civil demeanor. I say "usually,"...but not always. Example: during a heated exchange with my father - say a war of words - my aunt's higher brain seemed unavailable. Instead, her lizard brain was set off and she tossed her full cup of ice water into his face! What happened to, "I'm so mad I could...!" Being a witness to this example of a lizard brain in action, I later wondered why didn't she simply "use her words." She later attempted to justify her lizard brain action by calling it her right as righteous anger.

My father is getting up there in age now, like Leo. Listening to his stories of growing up is inspiring. He had a variety of friends: black, white, rich, poor; Asians, Latinos, smart kids, jocks and everyone in between. 

When we were kids, weren’t we taught to use our words? How is it possible that, as adults, we see more division today than when we were younger? 

Now, the conservative acquaintance who posted this meme is a good lady, a grandmother and probably pushing 74 herself! Perhaps she's similar in age to Leo - the cute animated lizard - who at the end of the movie is thrilled to discover he isn't going to die when he will turn 75 years old. I hope the grandmother who re-posted the meme, also will live a long life and realize she can be open to new ideas; new experiences. Like the saying goes: Even an old dog, can (still) learn new tricks!