How memes become a political weapon

Internet memes have evolved from online jokes into influential tools of political communication. Researchers note that memes combination of humor, simplicity and shareability allows political messages to spread rapidly, often bypassing logical aspects of simple facts. As a result, memes can shape public attitudes, reinforce group identities and influence how political events are interpreted.

In this video researcher of Social Sciences and Humanities Daniel Barbarussa and Researcher on philosophy and epistemology Glenn Andreu help us go trough the psichological aspect of political memes and explains how it can be used to influence target groups. They warn that memes are especially powerful because they can frame serious issues as entertainment.

Daniel Barbarussa and Glenn Andreu in their collaborative academic research work "The Function of Memes in Political Discourse" argue that political memes can normalize extreme views, downplay violence or discrimination, and act as “dog whistles” — messages that appear humorous to some audiences while carrying hostile or threatening meanings for others.

Studies highlighted by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and media analysts also show that memes are increasingly used by political actors to mobilize supporters and influence debates online, making them a significant force in contemporary politics.

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