IS your response to important events to send out a picture with an unfunny caption? Here Martin Bishop explains how he’s changing the world one meme at a time:
Go for the jugular
When news of the latest lockdown-breaking party broke, I didn’t think twice about posting a picture of a bloke carrying a big tray of pints with the caption ‘Boris Johnson last night’. I bet there were a few people at Downing Street shitting themselves when they saw that.
Ignore outdated forms of protest
Joining a pressure group, going on demos, voting in elections – all worse than useless. If you’re concerned about the NHS being privatised, just put up a meme of Hugh Laurie as Dr House looking annoyed with the words ‘NO WAY!’. Job done. Try selling off the NHS now, #ToryScum!
Become an expert on memes
I spend several hours a day familiarising myself with memes. You don’t want to make the rookie mistake of posting the guy leering at a passing woman while his girlfriend looks pissed off when you need a hard-hitting meme of Tyrion Lannister throwing up. People won’t take you seriously.
Remember: governments fear mockery most
Governments are used to brushing off criticism, but what they really fear is people laughing at them. It’s not like a minister can ignore a meme, close the page or say to their colleagues ‘Just some wankers on the internet’.
Be really hilarious
Memes are so effective at speaking truth to power because people like a laugh, so learn to create devastatingly hilarious ones. If you hate Michael Gove, put up a cartoon shit with the words ‘GOVE – WHAT A ****!’ It’s funny but it makes a serious point. Don’t go too far though – you might get a Facebook ban.
Remind yourself you’re a freedom fighter
I see myself as a kind of cyber-Robin Hood, protecting the less computer-literate by humorously undermining the authority of their masters. If the internet had been invented then we could probably have stopped Hitler with some sarcastic Dr Zoidberg memes.
