During President Trump’s ascendancy, coverage of internet culture focused on: meme magic. Forces like /r/thedonald and Pepe the Frog have been infused with occult powers powerful enough to change the course of history. Even scandals like Russiagate and the widespread accusations of wrongdoing by politicians and celebrities at the time. secretly nazi It was fueled by this belief in the inescapable power of memes. All it takes for a baby boomer mother to see repeated posts from Russian trolls on her favorite social media platform is to change her entire worldview. That’s the magic.
Of course, it would be remiss not to claim that this is probably the case. meme magic Or, if you’re even more excited, meme war It’s just propaganda by another name, updated for the digital age. The magic that feels unique to memes is the magic that exists in all mass media. Why are memes important? Because they always matter, and as Chris Gabriel, the man behind the iconic YouTube channel meme analysis We know it all too well, yet it’s horribly easy to forget.
Katherine: Can you explain what meme analysis is?
Chris: MemeAnalysis is a YouTube channel, but it’s also a philosophy that can be summed up in the mantra: “Memes matter.” Through both this philosophy and my channel, I perform symbolic analysis of memes and the internet in general to gain insight into collective psychology.
Katherine: Who is your biggest influence?
Chris: Carl Jung and Aleister Crowley provided my primary analytical tool kit, but the raunchy and funny focus on technology and viral images comes from William S. Burroughs.
Katherine: Do you think YouTube is an effective way to connect with your audience?
Chris: I think YouTube has been very effective and ineffective at different times, but I prefer Instagram and Substack.
Katherine: You’re also on TikTok, what do you think about it?
Chris: TikTok has the most effective algorithm in social media. In a spiritual sense, it is like an acid that burns the nerves, numbing the senses as the flesh dissolves. TikTok corrodes the soul. But yes, it’s one of my favorite media him on MemeAnalysis.
Katherine: There are a lot of stories about how we live in a fragmented culture and there is no mainstream left. Do you think it’s true?
Chris: In one sense, the illusion of pop culture has been removed, but in another sense, there are far fewer unique subcultures, and these fragmented cultures all operate in a single way, with countless costumes. Only a few memetic personas exist.
Katherine: Your work deals a lot with myth-making, and I know you’re trying to construct a “”.internet myths” Why do you think myths have meaning?
Chris: Myths are the most effective means of disseminating esoteric truths and understanding deep and complex phenomena. The lack of a unifying internet narrative is dire, something many people do constantly but have no meaningful language to describe what they experience. My Internet mythology focuses on some kind of fantastical “place” on the Internet, such as a fairyland, a dark forest, a labyrinth, or a spider’s web. It also focuses on the entities, archetypes, monsters and heroes that inhabit this space. .
Katherine: We live in a time where we embrace labels and avoid stereotypes. Do you think there is a contradiction there?
Chris: In a way, the popular phrase “don’t recognize me” perfectly describes both. Labels are protective armor against legitimate self-awareness and individuation. A stereotype is a perception of a label, and recognition can be deeply hurtful. Young people want their labels to be accepted and “validated,” but not to be viewed with a critical eye.
Katherine: In my opinion, I feel like astrology has replaced the archetypes and fables that played a role in our culture. What do you think about astrology?
Chris: Astrology is one of the most primitive systems, forming some of the oldest archetypes and informing almost all fables and fiction. Although modern forms are vulgar, they still strive for truth. I like it, and it’s fun to talk to you.
Katherine: Tarot is very popular, but it seems like people don’t really appreciate this art form and want a quick fix for uncertainty. Do you think it’s true?
Chris: Having been reading tarot for seven years, I have a pretty good grasp of the “types” that enjoy fortune telling. That type is the same for everyone. Everyone has an innate desire to talk about themselves, to express their pain and desires. Tarot, and all fortune-telling, is that medium.
Esoteric truths and revelations come through this rather mundane game. I use more personal and occult divination in my inner circle, but what keeps me going is the joy of sharing secrets and working “magic” with people.
Katherine: You are one of the most vocal people I know about the psychological dangers of the Internet. Do you think we can use the Internet in a healthy way?
Chris: The key is will and intention. There’s nothing worse than using the internet without realizing it. If the Internet is used consciously, it is still a weapon to be used in one’s own service.
Katherine: Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the role of technology in our future?
Chris: I’m generally optimistic. I think we’re in a period of severe growing pains, a kind of war between the old and the new. Technology is both a battlefield and a weapon. The new will win and technology will serve a greater purpose in the future.
