feed Lesson Plan

feed me memes: a lesson

by Erin M. Warren

Objective: Introduce the concept of meme in relation to M.T. Anderson's feed by first defining it, second, conceptualizing it within the context of a text, and finally, synthesizing meaning with it by applying the concept of meme to real world situations.

What is a meme?

A meme ( /ˈmiːm/^[1]) is "an idea, behaviour or style that spreads from person to person within a culture."^[2]
A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena. Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate and respond to selective pressures.^[3]
The word 'meme' is a shortening (modeled on 'gene') of 'mimeme' (from Ancient Greek μίμημα Greek pronunciation: [míːmɛːma] mīmēma, "something imitated", from μιμεῖσθαι mimeisthai, "to imitate", from μῖμος mimos "mime")^[4] and it was coined by the British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in The Selfish Gene (1976)^[1][5] as a concept for discussion of evolutionary principles in explaining the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. Examples of memes given in the book included melodies, catch-phrases, fashion and the technology of building arches.^[6]

(2011) Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme 

Conceptualizing and Synthesizing Meme

Using the textual example of M.T. Anderson's feed as a jumping off point, break into groups, read the text, and identify any possible examples of meme. Then, after identifying memes in the text, broaden the scope and widen your lenses to include our modern-day American world. What memes can you identify here (there are literally zillions...)? Have you ever been a part of, passed on, or utilized a meme? Which ones? Used any today? Heard any good new ones? Favs?

Let's Talk About Memes, Baby

Finally, to sum up, open up the floor for some class discussion. This is by far THE most important part of this exercise, so make sure to allow extra time and brain-space for some spicy repartee. The key is to open up your minds and memes, and let it flow...out.

"We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck. We went on a Friday, because there was shit-all to do at home. It was the beginning of spring break. Everything at home was boring. Link Arwaker was like, "I'm so null," and Marty was all, "I'm null too, unit," but I mean we were all pretty null, because for the last like hour we'd been playing with three uninsulated wires that were coming out of the wall." --feed (2004)

feed Response

                I absolutely loved feed. I mean to say I adored reading it, and the sheer joy I experienced devouring this book tells me I will definitely teach this book in the no-too-distant future somewhere. Heck, I could see using this text with college students and adults as well as its intended audience of adolescents.  It really is a book worthy of critical examination for a variety of reasons.

                First, the language use in feed is absolutely brilliant. It was at the same time both, like, hauntingly familiar and meg different. It was so totally fresh, units. But seriously, I love playing with language, and it is clear that M.T. Anderson does too. Part of my love for this book derives from the deft way M.T. created his didactic exploration of language. This book practically begs to be examined more closely and compared to our contemporary world.

                Second, the language use in feed is easily identified and therefore ripe for comparing and contrasting and explicating and deconstructing. Oh boy, would I have some fun unpacking this text in a classroom setting. The potential discussions that could develop could be illuminating, especially centered around how we use language in a culture, how this culture is transmitted from person to person, and then ultimately, how this "language-culture," or "languature(?)" comes alive and becomes its own entity.

                Third,  the language in the text reveals a meta-commentary from the author too, I think, and I would enjoy exploring students' impressions of what M.T. Anderson is actually saying with this science fiction. Does he celebrate his characters' language? Or does he mock them? Both? Either way: love.

My name is...Response

               Well, that was a painful and funny read. I mean, I hope that's not awful of me, but I am left feeling pain at the stories of refugee suffering and sensing the humor in the concepts of "it's all about the documents" and "we won the lottery." I guess it's a painful and somewhat shameful humor. America is cool and lame all at the same time, no?

                It is always interesting to me to read what children write. I am at the same time touched by their simple descriptions of complex issues and horrified at how they can seemingly breeze past the horrors of war in a few simple sentences of distanced verbiage and somewhat emotionless recollections. Reading these essays brought that point home again.

                I enjoyed the student art included in this publication. What can I say? It speaks to me. It's nice to see the rough representations as opposed to the refined gloss of mass marketing.

                I was reminded of the many tutees I worked with at Saint Paul College, and in my own private tutoring adventures, and the stories they only hinted at. I understand more clearly now why they hinted and did not elaborate. I also remember the times those folks did choose to tell me their stories, and how difficult that must have been for them. I was honored they chose to share with me then. I still am now.

                In the end, these essays remind me we are more alike as people than we are different.

Tangled Threads Response

               I really enjoyed reading Tangled Threads because it gave me some insight into Hmong culture. I liked it especially because my student teaching experience was at Patrick Henry High School, and there was a large Hmong student population. I remember being curious about their culture but too shy to ask questions then. Reading this text answered some of those questions now. It was cool.

                I remember being clued into the food culture of the Hmong students because they sold egg rolls in a fund-raising capacity, and I always marveled at the deliciousness and reverence of Hmong food culture. I love people who love food because I love food too. There's plenty of love for all of us, no? Anyway, I was always amazed at these young students capability to make awesome grub. When I was sixteen, I could barely make sandwiches effectively. Those ladies made better egg rolls than any purchased one I ever ate. Of course, I didn't know they were in arranged marriages then too...

                I found this discovery within Hmong culture a little distressing. I had NO IDEA that some of my students back then were probably already "married" to each other or promised to one another. Wow, culture shock. It makes sense to me now, after reading this book, some of the things I saw and heard and their actual contextual placement within PHS's social structures, so I find myself grateful for this book in ways I had not anticipated when I picked it up.

                I also appreciated the glimpse into the shamanic ways of Hmong culture as well. It was interesting to watch the character of Grandma come to grips with a modern society that seems to have little time or space for the ancient comforts of a shaman-based metaphysical anchor. Thumbs up.

The Giver Response

               Wow. I really liked Lowry's The Giver. I liked it a lot. I liked it so much I intend to read Gathering Blue too, just for fun. I find myself appreciating dystopian caricatures of the world more and more as I age and become somewhat cynical and jaded about the human critter and our shared history and potential future. I mean, as I learn more and more, it almost seems inevitable that the human future will look something like the dystopia presented in The Giver.

                I especially liked how she grabbed me at the end and pulled me along with her narrative inexorably to the book's conclusion. I almost read breathlessly after Lowry's reveal of what "release" actually meant. I mean, I knew what it meant before she showed me, but for some reason her portrayal was indeed horrifically sanitized and messed-up. I couldn't help but shudder when Jonas' father ended with the evilly glib sound-bites. He was an automaton covered in warped humanity. And yet, he "believed" in what he was doing, regardless of what "reality" meant. Whacko.

                I wasn't sure if I would ultimately like Jonas, but his insistence at the end to stay true to his feelings, to "their" feelings, was honorable and on the hero's journey, so I can ultimately say I respect the little dude. However, he's pretty precocious for twelve, I think. Heck, their whole society was a wee-bit quaint, wasn't it? Three year olds agreeing in unison on a sentence of concern for another's behavior in relation to right? Yeah, I don't think so. But, it was still entertaining.

                I would have liked it better if she would have fleshed some of the last few chapters out a bit, as they were sparse and felt sort of rushed in some way. But all in all, I was intrigued and absorbed.