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Youve seen them: the one where the Wordle is peace. The Harry Potter jokes about Putin. That John Cena tweet about his show Peacemaker. As Russian forces began their invasion of Ukraine last week, our news feeds began to show us in addition to plenty of misinformation, legit harrowing footage from on-the-ground war reporters, and whatever this is memes about World War III.
Others Ive seen in the past few days include dozens of memes about drafted Americans doing silly things on foreign soil. The official Ukraine Twitter account posted a literal meme. Tweets about surviving a (still ongoing) pandemic only to be rewarded with war. Its been a choir or responses. And they feel inescapable. Theyre on every social-media platform, and everyone from celebrities to the very online feels compelled to chime in through retweets, reshares, screenshots, and attempted dunks.
This kind of online behavior treats memes as social currency things to post to get attention, to fit in, or to make public statements about who we are. In a way, it makes sense. Memes are woven into our language and culture, and theyre ridiculously good at packaging information and projecting it across the internet at uncanny speeds.
We also share memes as shorthand for things we feel we dont have the right words to express. Like, say, anxiety over escalating imperial aggression. Just reposting a meme about current events says I read the news, Im a good person, but I dont know what to say or do, LOL. The problem with this offering is its three I statements in a row. In this particular case, it doesnt seem to facilitate connection and learning let alone make any tangible impact. Instead, its flooding our feeds with half-baked thoughts and needy Look at me! performances that make demands on our attention and create so much noise (perhaps an accurate externalization of whats going on in some minds).
Consider the history of these particular memes. They are not, if you can believe it, the first World War III memes to go viral. In January 2020, #ww3 memes followed then-President Trumps admission that hed ordered the assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official. The memes jumped to the WWIII conclusion because those are, historically, the kind of assassinations that prompt world wars (remember Archduke Ferdinand from history class?). It was mostly a meme about Trump, about his political bravado and cartoonish antics. It was Americans under Trump making memes about Trumps America, an unsafe reality we were actively navigating or trying to, at least. That March, we dipped our toes into coronavirus memes as we adjusted for the change and began to cope with the losses. Meme culture under the Trump administration was definitely dark and maybe even self-indulgent and fatalistic.
But this round of WWIII memes feels different.
As a meme librarian whos worked for Instagram and Tumblr, Amanda Brennans job is to decipher the mass of popular memes for whatever sense, story, or meaning she can make of them: Seeing some of these memes feels so haunting because it feels more like the gravity of the uprisings is different than the fake WWIII memes that trended throughout 2020. The war we theorized about 2020 did not exactly materialize; the one in these recent memes, in a way, has. Brennan noticed that this time the people making and sharing these viral memes are not the people at the center of the conflict. While it does feel large and overwhelming, as an elder millennial, I just feel at a loss to do anything let alone process through memes.
Vlasta Pilot is a Los Angelesbased artist and TikTok creator. I follow her TikTok for her pickle reviews. She was born in Russia (where she still has family) and is in regular contact with friends in Russia and Ukraine. She attributes the weirdness of these WWIII memes to the abstract ways their creators are talking about war: I have a hard time empathizing with the whole Millennials are tired of living through historical events narrative when most people are not, in fact, living through it but watching it happen to others from the safety of their couch.
Between her Russian and Ukrainian friends, she admits that memes have been passed around to share a smirk, but overall they dont give us any hope or relief at the moment. Memes prove limited in their ability to help people cope in situations like these. Theres a specific type of content that, as much as I try to avoid it, always finds its way on to my FYP, Pilot tells me. Its the short viral videos about Vlady Zaddy Putin, Ukraine being in Pluto return, or Jeff Bezos coming to save everyone by buying Russia.
Making memes, Pilot points out, requires a certain level of detachment. How else could you turn actual people and events and, in this case, human suffering into content? Here, we see how memes can separate content from its reality, which in this case is literal war (amid the threat of nuclear war) and the senseless slaughter of actual people.
It would be easy to cast all blame upon the form of the meme, to decide that memefication is a process that inherently corrupts good discourse and only serves as a vector to misinformation.
But a meme is what you make of it.
Take, for instance, @blackpowerbottomtext, run by organizer Nicols Esquis. This account was once exclusively a meme page (now it hosts a mix of posts), its politics leaning heavily left. Last week, Esquis shared a meme about the liberal tendency to turn complex issues into aesthetic social-justice slideshows. On the grid, it shared this meme with nesting captions (each complicating the previous one) demonstrating that just because something is complex and layered doesnt mean its beyond our comprehension that it actually makes more sense when we make room for critical thinking. This popular tweet about CNN running ads for Applebees in between footage of air raids over Ukraine is basically a multimedia political cartoon about commercial journalism. Whether you agree with the politics of this content or not, these memes prove its entirely possible for memes to facilitate nuanced conversations.
Given their ubiquity, memes will likely inform many on whats going on in Ukraine and serve as a point of entry for people who might not otherwise be aware of the issue. But the memes that are going viral on mainstream Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram cant be defended as information. And saying theyre helping people cope feels like a cop-out.
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Russia, Ukraine, and World War III Memes - The Cut
- WW3 fears as country with weaker army than China issues three-word warning to Xi Jinping - Express - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- HISTORY IS BEING WRITTEN- WHERE WILL YOU BE IN THE ... - Resistbot News - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- CoD MW3 players blast open cover missions as sheer laziness - Dexerto - November 6th, 2023 [November 6th, 2023]
- Like it or not, the Cowboys stir the NFL's drink Inside The Star - Inside The Star - July 4th, 2023 [July 4th, 2023]
- It's Time for Call of Duty to Return to One Fictional War - GameRant - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Are killer robots the future of war? - Al Jazeera English - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Ukraine planned attack on Moscow that could have triggered WW3, leaked memos say - Daily Star - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- WW3 fears as China readies hypersonic missiles and drones for Taiwan invasion - Express - April 25th, 2023 [April 25th, 2023]
- Nord Stream sabotage could lead to WW3 Trump - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Ukraine war: Donald Trump issues dire WW3 warning in call for ... - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Russia could launch NUCLEAR strikes using Belarus for cover from West as world now in first days of WW3,... - The US Sun - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- How to Fix Error Code 40302 in World War 3 - Followchain - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- 'NATO would have to respond': WW3 fears ramp up over worries of 'Russian attack' on Poland - Express - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Nuclear bunker in Britain on sale for just 28,000 as Putin pushes the world to the brink of WW3... - The Sun - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- 'Irregular presence': Putin sends bombers to nuclear weapons base as fears of WW3 rise - Express - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Here's where you should live if World War III happens - msnNOW - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- China sending thousands of troops to RUSSIA for massive war games amid fears Putin & Xi are plotting WW3... - The US Sun - August 22nd, 2022 [August 22nd, 2022]
- Russia and China 'prepared to go further' with AI weapons for WW3 advantage, expert says - Daily Star - August 8th, 2022 [August 8th, 2022]
- The Official Russian Invasion of Ukraine Thread - Page 44 - Bear Insider - August 8th, 2022 [August 8th, 2022]
- Beyond the Mulish, Look to the Stars - LA Progressive - August 8th, 2022 [August 8th, 2022]
- 'Already started' Russia sparked WW3 as West 'biding their time' for on-the-ground fight - Express - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Putin unleashes new terrifying weapon as he turns the screws on NATO - WW3 fears erupt - Express - July 14th, 2022 [July 14th, 2022]
- Japan assassination sparks wild conspiracy theories including CIA plot to trigger WW3 - Daily Star - July 14th, 2022 [July 14th, 2022]
- People are more scared of WW3 and rising costs than global warming and Covid - Somerset Live - June 30th, 2022 [June 30th, 2022]
- Putin Ally Announces First City Russia Will Strike if World War 3 Starts - Newsweek - June 26th, 2022 [June 26th, 2022]
- People are more scared of WW3 and rising costs than global warming and Covid - Wales Online - June 26th, 2022 [June 26th, 2022]
- 'This is already WW3' and if 'Hitler-like' Putin succeeds in Ukraine 'all bets are off' - Daily Star - June 26th, 2022 [June 26th, 2022]
- Putin is 'a mad man getting madder by the moment' and could spark WW3, warns politician - Daily Star - June 26th, 2022 [June 26th, 2022]
- Nostradamus predicted WW3 in 2023 after correctly foreseeing Ukraine ... - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- 'Nuclear war is coming' Putin's mouthpiece threatens west with 'World War 3' warning - Express - June 11th, 2022 [June 11th, 2022]
- 'Nuclear war is coming' Putin's mouthpiece warns west of 'World War 3' in latest threat - Irish Mirror - June 7th, 2022 [June 7th, 2022]
- Russian TV host's insane threat to nuke UK into 'depths of sea' and trigger WW3 - Daily Star - May 23rd, 2022 [May 23rd, 2022]
- The Philippines should learn from Ukraine, avoid the frontlines of WW3 ... - May 15th, 2022 [May 15th, 2022]
- Use of nuclear weapons by Russia would lead to WW3 - German MP - Ukrinform - May 11th, 2022 [May 11th, 2022]
- Interpretative dancers just performed at the European parliament and people are confused - indy100 - May 11th, 2022 [May 11th, 2022]
- Thousands of British troops to be sent to Europe with tanks amid Russia WW3 fears - Daily Star - May 6th, 2022 [May 6th, 2022]
- WW3 threat as Putin's mouthpiece warns of 'no mercy' in war 'against Europe and world' - Express - April 25th, 2022 [April 25th, 2022]
- Love Island's Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran rubbish split rumours with date night - The Mirror - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- 'Wonder Woman 3' Script Is Being Actively Worked On, Reveals Gal Gadot - We Got This Covered - April 20th, 2022 [April 20th, 2022]
- Nato map: The THREE NATO countries that could attack Russia first in WW3 - Express - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Were on the precipice of WW3 & all Kim, Kanye & Pete give a damn about is their own pathetic war, says P... - The US Sun - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- China willing to send Russia WEAPONS to help with Ukraine invasion, US warns as WW3 fears grow... - The Sun - March 17th, 2022 [March 17th, 2022]
- Will there be a draft? WW3 TikTok videos speak to the anxiety of the moment - Fast Company - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- World War 3: Did Baba Vanga, the blind mystic, ever predict when WW3 would start? - Portsmouth News - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- Who was Nostradamus, could he see the future and did he ever predict a third World War? - Portsmouth News - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- Biden says alternative to sanctions is WW3, Lukashenko slams west for pushing Russia - The Business Standard - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- Albert Einsteins WW3 quote is more relevant than ever, authenticity aside - HITC - Football, Gaming, Movies, TV, Music - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- How to cope with threat of WW3? Hopefully these memes will helpa bit - The London Economic - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- World War 3: Here is what would happen if a nuclear bomb dropped on Los Angeles during WW3 - Portsmouth News - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- World War 3: Here's what would happen if a North Korean nuclear bomb dropped on Seoul in South Korea in WW3 - Portsmouth News - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- What is the Doomsday Clock and what does it predict? Here's all you need to know - Portsmouth News - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- Portsmouth named on hit list of Russia's potential nuclear targets in the UK in World War 3 - Portsmouth News - February 28th, 2022 [February 28th, 2022]
- Man says aliens showed him WW3 and it will involve grim 'skin-melting' weapons - Daily Star - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Fashion Week AW22: All The Best Beauty Looks - MSN UK - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- Mark Petchey reacts to Novak Djokovic willing to skip tournaments over vaccine - Tennis World USA - February 21st, 2022 [February 21st, 2022]
- I can use my powers to stop Putin invading Ukraine & save us from WW3 all the West needs to do is ask, s... - The US Sun - February 15th, 2022 [February 15th, 2022]
- Russia accuses a US submarine of violating its waters as Putin pushes West to brink of WW3 in Ukraine... - The Sun - February 15th, 2022 [February 15th, 2022]
- Afterconflict Turns the Cold War Hot With the Triggering of WW3 - Gamers Decide - February 7th, 2022 [February 7th, 2022]
- World War 3: Heres what would happen if a nuclear bomb dropped on Los Angeles during WW3 - Portsmouth News - February 3rd, 2022 [February 3rd, 2022]
- Im a doomsday prepper and heres how you could survive nuke disaster as Ukraine-Russia tensions threaten W... - The US Sun - February 3rd, 2022 [February 3rd, 2022]
- William and Kate have panic room and tunnels at home in fear of WW3 biological warfare - Daily Star - February 3rd, 2022 [February 3rd, 2022]
- World War 3: HereS what would happen if a nuclear bomb was dropped on London in event of WW3 - Portsmouth News - January 19th, 2022 [January 19th, 2022]
- WW3 fears over Russias plot to justify Ukraine invasion as expert warns escalating tensions may spark ma... - The US Sun - January 17th, 2022 [January 17th, 2022]
- World War 3: Could Russia attack these former Cold War hit list targets including Portsmouth in event of WW3? - Portsmouth News - January 17th, 2022 [January 17th, 2022]
- WW3 fears as North Koreas 2nd missile test in a week forces US aircraft to be grounded as protests erupt... - The Sun - January 17th, 2022 [January 17th, 2022]
- Strategy game Warno transforms the Cold War into WW3 with new trailer - NME.com - December 23rd, 2021 [December 23rd, 2021]
- WW3 fears as Putin warns of possible military response over aggressive NATO - Daily Star - December 23rd, 2021 [December 23rd, 2021]
- Strategy game Warno transforms the Cold War into WW3 with new trailer - NME - December 17th, 2021 [December 17th, 2021]
- Russian invasion of Ukraine will spark World War 3, Kiev fears as Putin fires hypersonic nuke just 22... - The Sun - December 17th, 2021 [December 17th, 2021]
- Putins 16,000mph Satan-2 nuke with 12 warheads that could destroy UK to be ready in a year in WW3 fears... - The US Sun - December 17th, 2021 [December 17th, 2021]
- WW3 fears as China vows to 'fire on' US troops sent to 'defend Taiwan' from invasion - Daily Star - December 15th, 2021 [December 15th, 2021]
- Gal Gadots Wonder Woman 3 To Begin Production In 2023, Director Patty Jenkins Exits Cleopatra - koimoi - December 7th, 2021 [December 7th, 2021]
- Russia sparks WW3 fears after vowing to attack Ukraine unless Nato agrees to BAN Kiev from alliance... - The Sun - November 28th, 2021 [November 28th, 2021]
- WW3 fears as Russia accuses US of staging nuclear strike with TEN BOMBERS and puts nuke forces on co... - The Sun - November 28th, 2021 [November 28th, 2021]
- World War 3 Closed Beta Test begins on November 25 - Future Game Releases - November 28th, 2021 [November 28th, 2021]
- Peter Rhodes on Covid tests, preparing for WW3 and how Lionel dealt with a heckler - expressandstar.com - November 9th, 2021 [November 9th, 2021]
- US secretly training Taiwan troops and conducted 2,000 spy missions in China sparking WW3 fears... - The US Sun - October 30th, 2021 [October 30th, 2021]
- Many Millennials Think WW3 Is Coming. What Could Cause It? - Interesting Engineering - October 21st, 2021 [October 21st, 2021]
- WW3 fears as China puts military on 'high alert' and issues 'Doomsday' warning - Daily Star - October 17th, 2021 [October 17th, 2021]
- China 'has been preparing for WW3' for years as experts claim they have proof - Daily Star - October 17th, 2021 [October 17th, 2021]