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Working from home affords many benefits to higher performance levels, increased work-life balance and cost-savings. Many people are working from home for the first time because of COVID-19. Others may be more seasoned remote workers. Whatever the circumstances, it is likely that working from home is playing a larger part in your life than ever before. This post offers good practices to adopt in the new mainstay of many small businesses and large companies. 



1. Structure your workday 
Structure and routine can be imperative towards preserving mental wellbeing when working from a remote basis. This means, where possible, make suitable adjustments to construct a home working environment. Creating a designated area for work can be conducive to effective working.There are a plethora of apps supporting this lifestyle with time-tracking, organisational and even motivational features. Ensure you plan out your emails and meals ahead of time and choose healthier food options over-processed and refined food. 

2. Set and stick to a routine
In the absence of steady schedules, it can feel that the boundaries between work and personal time feel almost merged. Try to aim to maintain your regular sleep schedule and work patterns by getting up at the same time, making sure to eat breakfast and shower if necessary. You can spend this time reading, listening, writing or even exercising before the start of the day. When the workday draws to a close, you should aim to stop working. You could have a ritual such as leaving the room you were working in or sending a sign off message to your colleagues. 

3. Establishing ground rules with others
Constructing and enforcing boundaries between other members from your household can be critical towards preserving your wellbeing at home. Make sure to set clear rules between your household to alert them of your expectations at work to avoid stress and moments of frustration. If it is difficult for you to manage domestic labour, make sure to communicate this concern  to others. For example, tending towards service people, cooking for household members, doing grocery shopping and so forth. 

4. Take breaks in their entirety
Do not short weight yourself when you have the chance to go on a break, especially during lunch hour. You can notify a colleague in a recent conversation, change your active status on a digital platform, use a time out  app to lock yourself (although more on the extreme-end, you get the point). Your body needs to move so try to go outside at least twice during the week. Fresh air and natural light can definitely benefit your mood and wellbeing. 

"Hackers will be exploiting the security vulnerabilities that come with remote work. When people are scared and isolated, it's much easier to target them because they are not using good cyber hygiene--it's the last thing they're often worried about in a panic." – Aleksandr Y.

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) January 2, 2021

5. Be sure to ask for what you need
Your company or organization might offer the option to provide you with additional company resources such as a headset, mouse, keyboard and so on. Companies that are accustomed to remote workers typically have a budget for home office equipment. This might be on a rental basis so try to understand the implications for this. We should realise that working from home might be the new normal therefore it can be worthwhile to figure out ways to improve the way you work while from home. 

6. Keep a dedicated workspace
Creating an effective work space is essential if you want to stay on track and get things done. If possible, try to find a quiet space away from people and distractions. Try to improve your organisation by getting everything you need together in one place, before you start work – chargers, pens, notebooks and anything else. Even in a small or shared space, try to designate an area to work. Invest in creating a good ergonomic set-up since you will be spending a large amount of time there. Be sure to get up and stretch and take eye breaks. 

7. Stay connected with your colleagues
Many companies offer ‘digital coffee meetings’ or something of equivalence through Teams, Zoom and Skype. Try to push yourself to take the time to join in with these sessions. In remote team working, trust and transparency are vital so maintaining face-to-face human interaction will help. Make the time as well to maintain and cultivate relationships with your co-workers through transparency and clear communication. This can help to combat any sense of isolation, and promotes strong team bonds.

8. Attend meetings and be heard 
Be sure to speak up during the meeting so that your coworkers are aware of your presence. Simply signing off the call with “Thank you, Speak to you soon.” at the end of the meeting can help your coworkers acknowledge you respectfully. It pays to contribute confidently in meetings. Instead of being silent, try to be bold in offering ideas and suggestions in virtual meetings or in discussions with your manager about working from home. 

"If you work from home, especially in cold-climates, you can go days without going outside. Getting a snake plant, money tree or areca palm can make a big difference for your work space." – Michael Alexis

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) January 2, 2021

9. Take time off to recharge
Nowadays, more employers are realising the benefits of their employees taking time off, especially as it can improve productivity over the long term. Taking annual leave does not have to be exclusive for going just on holidays, it can be taking the time off to prioritise your personal life and mental wellbeing. Research has shown that spending time with loved ones is important and can help prevent work-related stress and burnout. Taking some time away from being in ‘work-mode’ enables employees to return to work refreshed with mental clarity. 

10. Keep an eye out for training opportunities
Being away from the office could mean that you are missing out on useful training and skill sessions that could help improve your productivity on tasks. Be sure to speak up and ask your coworkers to find out more about top-down training. You could also seek online training courses. Websites like Skillshare and Udemy offer a plethora of video tutorials which can help supplement your pre-existing knowledge. 

11. Be reasonable and kind with yourself and others.
Make sure to keep a positive tone when messaging between co-workers. Due to less face time between people, it can be hard to interpret tone through writing short, succinct messages. On the flip-side, make sure to be kind to yourself. Try to be realistic with yourself and try to be realistic on what you can and cannot achieve. Do not reprimand yourself if you do not manage to accomplish and complete your tasks. We are all human and so we will make mistakes. Always remember to ask for help when you need it, too. Your manager will be less able to see if you're struggling, so let them know earlier rather than later.

12. Take advantage of the perks of remote work 
Perhaps when we look into the future of remote work companies may not revert back to “business as usual” measures. The pandemic might be the tipping point which convinces people that flexible work is the correct path for the long haul. Taking these points into account, this is the harsh new reality at least for the short-term. From money savings, having more significant time with loved ones, working in cosy clothes, avoiding crowds and traffic - the perks are endless. 

In conclusion 
While working from home inevitably comes with challenges, there are many benefits too. Working from home can be a special and rewarding opportunity if you are able to come to terms with the pros and cons. Whether you are on a full-time contract or work only part-time, it can be great to avoid the daily grind at the office. That being said, there are many additional responsibilities which come at the price of working from home. If you ever feel overwhelmed or distressed, please ensure you speak to someone about it who may help. We are all trying to fight through this pandemic together. 



Articles for inspiration 
Working Remotely During COVID-19
The Ultimate Guide to Working From Home
26 WFH Tips While Self-Isolating During the COVID-19 Outbreak
32 Working from Home Tips You Can Do Right Now
Coronavirus and isolation: supporting yourself and your colleagues

(Draft - Will update soon!) 

Pseudoscience relates to any belief system or methodology that attempts to seek legitimacy in the scientific domain but lacks rigorous methodology and evidence in support. A term first coined in 1796 by Historian James Pettit, pseudoscience is often something we hear a lot these days, particularly within the sceptical community. This post looks to explore this concept by taking a glance from different contexts. 




Medical Treatments 
There is a flurry of non-evidence-based approaches used by individuals as medical remedies and therapies. Albeit these solutions might be mostly harmless, believing in these assumptions is wrong. This includes all herbal medicine, acupuncture, homoeopathy, energy healing and anti-vaccination beliefs.

Homoeopathy techniques 
This is just one of the many examples of practices with no scientific underpinning and clinical evidence still used by millions of people around the world. This is a practice which cures by using small amounts of a substance that invokes symptoms of the disease that it is to be treated, with application from common cold and allergies to severe conditions like heart disease and cancer. It is a low cost, generic, non-patented attributes make it an ideal for those who want a ready treatment. Homoeopathic treatment can ease symptoms and offer therapeutic effects; however, they do not justify top-quality medicine with proven scientific validity and effectiveness for patients. 

Anti-vaccination rhetoric 
This is a sentiment strongly associated with conspiracy thinking and denials of individual liberties and freedoms. The dogma behind an anti-vaccine ideology is that vaccines cause autism and other lousy health impacts. Government and the pharmaceutical industry knowingly hide this information from the public. Social media acts as an essential conduit helping claims, anxieties and thoughts to manifest across. It is your choice on whether you are for or against vaccines, but there should be no denial of the proven facts. It is wise to remember that immunisation can help stop the spread of diseases in communities. 

“Pulling bad science apart is the best teaching gimmick I know for explaining how good science really works.” – Ben Goldacre

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) November 27, 2020
Marketing and Advertising
You can spot pseudoscience everywhere - from your shampoo bottle to the ads which pop up in your Twitter feed. Bold statements with scientific jargon help spread misleading information which claims to be supported by laboratory-research and hard facts. It can be difficult to challenge these beliefs with cognitive biases at play. For example, as a consumer, we may have already made the purchase on the cosmetics product for other reasons. This makes it a cost that cannot be recovered. Alongside the human satisfaction of being right, our minds are hooked on patterns, and make sense of the world by seeking them out. These phenomena relate to sunk cost and confirmation and selection bias.

Global wellness industry 
The global wellness industry is worth trillions of dollars, topping the global pharmaceutical industry by over four times. It can be noticed that a large number of consumers and patients favour alternative moreover traditional medicines despite the lack of empirical evidence and medical backing. This is perpetuated by figureheads such as celebrities and influencers who flaunt themselves as wellness gurus. A single celebrity endorsement can very much change the fortune of a business; therefore, many businesses adopt this as part of their marketing strategy. The wellness industry frequently targets people who are vulnerable and likely to have been failed by traditional medicine. These individuals might also have strong ideological opinions against big pharma. 

Age of social media 
“Pseudoscience” was previously an ad targeting category used by advertisers now removed by Facebook in bid to curb misinformation on Covid-19. According to Reuters, an estimate of over 78 million users was interested in the “pseudoscience” category. The company has now incorporated several initiatives to stop the proliferation of false information which can cause imminent physical harm. It is suspicious why Facebook had such a category available in the first place where advertisers were profiting from ads which targeted people that the company believes are interested in pseudoscience. 

Human and Political impact 
Throughout years, decades and even centuries, the world of science has slowly overcome pseudoscience allowing the triumph of sense over nonsense. From the 16th and 17th century, the writings of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Newton have helped overturn ancient cosmology. Astrology was scientifically defeated in the 18th and 19th century although it still manages to attract attention even today. Young-earth creationism was scientifically overturned in the early 20th century although there is much discourse around evolution theory today.    

"The wish to believe, even against evidence, fuels all the pseudosciences from astrology to creationism." – Isaac Asimov

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) November 27, 2020
Political left or right 
Politicians and scientists making bold claims and throwing accusations at one another on how scientific or unscientific something is enough to make our heads swim, especially to those who have had little to no exposure to science past highschool. This is very much true for most of our politicians who create and enforce our laws. Hot topics like the anti-GMO movement, the paleo movement, anti-vaccination movement, the global climate change movement are just a few of the areas which affect our individual lives. To prevent the abuse and exploitation of citizens, we should look for more robust scientific education and look to further empower scientific research. 

Social Human impact 
There is a significant issue with how pseudoscience is prescribed with relevant and irrelevant connotations. Pseudoscience has a hazy definition. Many things get labelled pseudoscientific such as astrology, alchemy, divinations - the list does not stop. This makes it tricky to differentiate between what is scientific nonsense versus something which remains debatable. We can always expect pseudoscience to be present in its complex forms.

Reference list
Culliford, E., Facebook Gets Rid Of 'Pseudoscience' Ad-Targeting Category, Reuters, 2020
Lofts, J., Are Wellness Gurus Driving A Rise In Pseudoscience?, SRG, 2020
Townson, S., Why People Fall For Pseudoscience (And How Academics Can Fight Back), The Guardian, 2016
Rapper, S., Why Good Science Is Good Business. Rss.onlinelibrary.wiley.com, 2017
Bailey, D. Pseudoscience From The Political Left And Right « Math Scholar. Mathscholar.org. 2018



If you are just starting your career, you are probably considering which route to take. Or perhaps you might be very much into your career and now beginning to ask yourself if you have made the right choices. Baring this in mind a job candidate can be loosely categorised into two types - a generalist or a specialist. A generalist often possesses a varied skill-set acquired by the pursuit of a broad range of disciplines. A specialist on the flip-side is more likely to be the go-to person in their field as they are seen as the expert. This post will dive into the benefits and drawbacks of each career approach.



Specialist
With the focus on depth over breadth, there are certainly numerous reasons for why individuals might opt more towards the specialist pathway. Perhaps they wish to invest time and effort in becoming the go-to person for their niche or have a desire to stand out with a competitive edge when applying for a job role or maybe they just love their subject area so much that they want to be a true expert in their field. This section would explore some up and downsides on pursuing the specialist approach. 

Benefits
Higher salary and paychecks
People opting to specialise have spent large amounts of time focusing on their niche/field. This makes it more advantageous for them to seek scarce job vacancies. It is said that a specialist is more likely probable to earn a higher salary even for entry-tier jobs simply due to their advanced technical abilities. Therefore for those with bigger financial goals could benefit from following this pathway especially if they are motivated financially.

Expertise and leadership
People more often listen to experts for advice on specific problems than generalists. Having strong subject knowledge can be more advantageous than just leaving it for the generalist's guess-work. Not only does being a specialist increases the opportunities to earn a higher salary, the specialist might also gain a greater sense of internal power. For instance, when a company looks to implement particular organisational reforms, the specialist could find themselves being called upon to negotiate in these situations.  

Bright opportunities 
It is said that the skills gained by a specialist can be more valuable as they are harder to teach. Many experts claim that there has been a shift in the recent shift of organisations who look to achieve more for the cost of less. This is especially true in this pandemic where many professions have become redundant. Furthermore, clients may also recognise the value of good service offered from a specialist expert. They might feel more persuaded by an individual who can offer high expertise at a reasonable price. 

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) October 19, 2020

Drawbacks
Career Inflexibility
When the job market shifts, specialists could find themselves losing enthusiasm about their work. Being able to adapt to different professions under these circumstances can be very difficult and at that point, it may be nonsensical to continue hunting for the same type of role. A person is not fully confined to a specific job title but it can be expected for there to be fewer job opportunities available. Strategies like interleaving can help at times like this where an individual spends their spare time learning other subjects, skills, or methods.

Lack of breadth 
Although a specialist person is likely to be the go-to expert in their field of work, their opinion on other issues might not be as valid. A scenario could be that the specialist's input and opinion is appreciated but only if the topic at hand involves their direct area of expertise. It is always recommended for someone to have other things under their belt such as extracurricular activities or personal projects. This could greatly help to enhance an individual's employability and character. 

Search for the multitasker 
Specialists also have a risk of being replaced. If we refer back to history, there are plenty of instances where some form of human skills had been taken over by technology. Take printing technology as an example which has now been substituted by computers. A focused specialist could also find themselves falling short when applying for job positions at a company with a distinct company culture. The company might value employees with a resume including recent extracurricular activities as it shows they have a strong work life balance. 


Generalist
The contrasting opposite of a specialist. Adopting a stronger focus on breadth over depth, there are plenty of reasons why people might find themselves following approach. A generalist offers a broad range of skills and experience across a variety of disciplines within their field. They are wary of what it takes to get the job they love and so work hard towards earning transferable business skills using curiosity as their guide. This section will look at the up and downsides with taking this career approach. 

Benefits
Focus on the big picture 
Focusing on keeping a broad range of interests, experimenting and changing course now and then are essential for one to find their true passion. It is also true that being able to apply knowledge in different ways is something desirable to employers. There is a saying that the more contexts in which something is learnt, the more likely it is for the individual to be able to construct better abstract models. The learners become better at applying their knowledge to a situation they have never seen before by using their creativity. 

Gaining transferable skills
There is wisdom to the idea that the higher up the career ladder an individual goes, the more necessary it is to have general and managerial skills, especially in a fast-changing workplace. This is particularly important if an individual's hope to become the leader or manager in their organisation or company. Some companies also dream about having one employee who can take on several hats as it can saves on overhead costs so a generalist might see fit with this.

Offering career flexibility 
A broader understanding of different subjects paired alongside a wide range of transferable skills can help facilitate with greater career flexibility. This is quite relevant for those who are first starting out with their careers. A generalist is able to look at the big picture and think out-of-the-box. This makes them better able at navigating through uncertainty. Generalists could find themselves at an advantage in an unpredictable and unknown future. 
 

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) October 19, 2020

Drawbacks
Lack of job security
In times of economic uncertainty, a person might end up losing their jobs if they are not seen as a priority of the company. The more that kind of expertise is based on either pattern recognition or repetitive motions, the more likely the chances are for it to go automated. This can lead to job cuts and thus a greater need for talent that can offer higher technical expertise. It brings to attention the possibility that people with more technical capabilities are better likely to succeed in the corporate world. 

Need to work harder for approval 
A generalist could find themselves needing to work much harder in order to show their worth and gain recognition. They might not be as prized as a specialist to a company who is able to showcase their focused niche. One of the most common criticisms against generalists is that they lack in-depth understanding over breadth of knowledge. In situations where an employer is seeking credibility, the individual with a more generalised background can expect themselves get turned down.

Less technical understanding 
Being a generalist might imply that you do not have the particular expertise that the company is looking for. Perhaps the company would need to spend some time coaching the individual before they commence their role. This time could have been better spending for the new employee to get right in with tasks instead of being spent training. For this reason, if a potential employer is unable to easily a candidates specialisation across their resume then there is a high chance that the individual could miss out on the opportunity. This is simply due to the lack of relevance easily spotted. 

In-between
Perhaps supplementing one’s broad base of skills with a sprinkling of expert knowledge can be an individual's best. Especially when hoping to climb up the career ladder and reach leadership and managerial titles as generalist skills are widely sought after. The success of an individual in finding a new job title can vary according to many things such as how far they are into their career, the industry sector they are applying for, the location of the office, a candidate's personal background and so on. Hence it is probably best to weigh out one's options before figuring out which route to take.





These days it is all about personal style and self-expression. There is beauty in both the thoughtful simplicity of a minimalistic space and also the vibrance of a more eye-catching mix of tones and textures that can be found in a more maximal one. But it does not just stop there. These art forms can also manifest as part of the day-to-day choices we make and the way we live our daily lives. Here is a simple guide helping you decide on your style by considering the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. 

Minimalism
The notion behind this idea is that "less is more". By only placing the most essential things in a space, you can make those elements more stand out. This helps to increase the attention and focus of particular material goods or elements in one's life. Minimalism is not just about owning the bare essentials, it is about living with greater simplicity. It goes beyond just design but is also a part of mental philosophy and lifestyle that looks to distinguish what is important in one's life. 

Benefits 
Free from financial worry
One of the many reasons budgeting can be difficult these days is because we accumulate so many extra bills on services and spend so much buying products we might not need. We can cut down on these habits by implementing minimalist style budget systems. For example, using just one credit card could help towards earning points that convert into rewards. This would be quite impossible if you are frequently using more than one card for transactions. Keeping a savings account can be a useful as a reserve for your money.

More time for what matters
In a world of endless opportunities, it can be hard to say no to things. One of the big reasons for this is the fear of missing out. We might find ourselves acting with an impulse on opportunities thinking that it is better than what we could plan to do now and then find ourselves feeling more moments of boredom indulging on Netflix and social media. Why not take it back to basics, clear out any pre-plans and start to enjoy your own company? You prioritise on what is important and on things which add lasting value to your life. Following a simple approach to life can make time feel more rewarding and joyful. 

Experiences over material goods 
Living a minimalist lifestyle centres around the aspect of reducing. An individual typically spends more time on experiences than using material goods. Placing priority towards experiences like planning activities with loved ones, hitting the gym, reading a good book can help support personal development and strengthen relationships. This is a more meaningful way to spending time than spending it at shops making purchases on things of short-term value.

“Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.” – Edwin Way Teale

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) October 19, 2020
 
Drawbacks 
Only for those who can afford 
Although minimalism revolves around valuing experiences rather than things, experiences can cost as much, or more than the things that we accumulate. Take theatre tickets or travelling as examples. All great experiences but you need the cash to do this. Sometimes experiences can cost just as much or even more than the things we accumulate. Therefore being aware of your finances is key to make better decisions.

Getting too caught up 
It can be easy to slip into an obsessive way of thinking where you turn manic-like on counting things, getting rid of things or just owning the basic essentials. It could lead to missing out on the purpose of minimalism altogether. Minimalism is not about counting everything or leaving it all behind and it is definitely not about obsession. It should be applied as a guiding principle to navigate oneself through excess so that they can focus on the important things in life instead.

Not a remedy for problems
There are all sorts of guru experts who claim to know how to solve all your issues and bring you a happy life. But life as you know it is not easy and there are always challenges and hurdles along the way. In this case, you could consider minimalism as a tool helping to free up the mind. It can be used as a guide to having gratitude for even the small things in life.


 
Maximalism 
At the opposite end of the scale to minimalism is maximalism. The philosophy behind this idea follows that "more is more". This idea moves away from keeping this of pure utility to a more lavish lifestyle of more opulent taste. Maximalism let's vibrance, shapes and texture set the scene. It works by grabbing your attention from the use of both complementary and clashing colours. It could be said that we might all lean further towards this side as life is not picture perfect.

Benefits
Hunting for deals
Following a maximal lifestyle gives you good reason to splurge out now and then. Not only do you get to try out new things, but you also become much more price-conscious about things. We all love promotional offers and keeping loyalty with brands can be a fast track for amazing exclusive discounts. Life is short so why not enjoy and make the most of it? If shopping is one's thing then so be it.

Experimenting with style 
A common misconception is that maximalism encourages hoarding items and overstuffing rooms. Although it is centred around the idea of excess, it is not all as it seems. For those who love to mix and match different styles, maximalism is the way to go. You are free to decorate with all sorts of colours, layers and period pieces to your heart’s content. It is also an opportunity to learn in embracing imperfections.

Telling a story 
Maximalism follows the accord of abundance and delight. Everyone loves a good story so showcasing your life experiences makes an interesting conversation starter. If you have ever been to the house of an individual who has travelled a lot, you might notice many souvenirs and small things placed on displays. Maximalism gives you a chance to tell a story and share across your personality to others. 

"People will stare. Make it worth their while." – Harry Winston

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) October 19, 2020
 
Drawbacks 
Too much clutter and junk
You might soon realize how little you need to hold onto things. The truth is you need the things that you use on a daily or regular basis. If you are relaxed with your standards then you might end up losing control and verge towards hoarding behaviour. You should only buy what you need over instead of what you may want as you might not make the most use of it. It is important to remember that consumerism can lead to a vicious cycle of short term happiness.

Less control of your wallet
For those who love to shop all the time can most likely lose sight of keeping savings. Thinking frugally becomes tough and often a person might end up missing out on doing or achieving the things that could add value to them. Developing the habit to spend less can not only free up time but it can help boost one's health. It can help take away stress and free up room for the important things in life like building true relationships between people and achieving new milestones. 

Compulsive behaviour and materialism 
The reality is that many things begin to lose their lustre which leads to a danger of feeling easily underwhelmed. This is why everything should be in moderation. This is the key. If you get what you need you can appreciate it more so to overcome these habits you can: engaging your attention to areas like spending time with loved ones, focus on your skills or work towards self-improvement.

In-between 
While we are likely to lean greater towards a particular side of the scale, many people fall somewhere in- between. For a majority of individuals, it can be hard to live up to a pristine picture-perfect minimalistic environment especially in the presence of small children or pets. Most people end up giving up on living to an ideal and resort to something they feel more comfortable and familiar with.

In a world defined by digital communication, it is no coincidence that memes play a role in spreading information. Since the birth of the internet, creative users have whipped up images with the intent to bring small chuckles and to lighten up a person's day. The term ‘meme' draws actually back to Richard Dawkins 1976 book, 'The Selfish Gene', referring to the phenomena as a 'mimema' - a Greek term meaning 'that which is imitated'. According to Dawkins, mimema are small cultural units of transmission which pass from person to person through copying or imitation. Memes evolve in a similar way to genes by replicating and keeping the essential parts each time. This post will take a look at the role of memes in digital culture.



How memes have changed the world
“Meme” describes a basic unit of cultural idea or symbol which can be transmitted from one individual to another. In our everyday lives, we use memes as a form of communication. Take the catchphrases and clichés we use to translate non-literal, cultural ideas and the similes and metaphors we verbally use. These all are things that are memes or get turned into memes. For those who are less involved with them perhaps see them as nonsensical creations and a good way to kill time. Many global brands capitalise on using memes to spread awareness about their products and services. Since memes can come in various forms, it makes them a trendy and relevant solution for advertising, promoting or marketing a concept.

"Memes just show that people are engaged about something. A meme is just a little inside joke for a group of people that care about a certain thing." – Anthony Fantano

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) October 19, 2020

The memes that go trending for days
Memes can be anything and everything. They may take the form of words, phrases, quotes, animals and real/fictional characters. As they are of no specific origin, it means that almost anyone can create one and proceed to share it on social sites and feeds in hope to become to go viral. For those who look for their memes to catch on, posting it on sites like Reddit, Tumblr, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook can increase the chances. It is also good to remember that the best memes have short, quippy, and relatable body text. According to wikiHow, there is an assortment of different types including but not limited to traditional types, dank types, edgy types and even wholesome types.

Making the memes matter
As we all know, content is the keystone in bridging the gap between brand and user. Information that is released on the internet can stay forever on the internet. This is very important for those who use memes as part of their content strategy to assess the relevance of the content they put out with their brand. It has to feel authentic in order to evoke action from the consumer. It never ends well brands who wish to jump on the latest trend for publicity. For those looking to use memes for political and social agenda should remember to back up their commentary with references and evidence. 
 

"Very often, when leaders repeat things over and over, they are preparing you for when that meme actually emerges in reality." – Timothy D. Snyder

— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) October 19, 2020

The dark side of memes
In today’s world of instant information gratification, we have easy hands-on opinions, rationalizations, and superficial descriptions. This vast access makes it easier for us to make quick judgement and assumptions but harder for a layman to grasp the factual knowledge of a topic. Some individuals use memes in the disguise of darker messages. This could be in the form of hate speech, fake news and propaganda or even as content evoking harm. According to Chelsea from NBC news, memes can attribute to ‘caustic humour, bigoted hostility and fetishistic flattening’ in people, bringing out the worst in them.

The copy-rights rules surrounding memes                                                                                          
There is much debate around copyright, sharing, authorship/anonymity and fair use and several creators have now started to or threaten to sue for copyright infringements with memes. In Europe particularly in Germany, the current copyright laws permit private copying of copyright work if there is sufficient remuneration provided to the owner such as attributions, levies and so on. This opens up to discourse on the effectiveness of this rule. What if the meme was not infringing any copyright laws or those who are taking legal action were not the original proprietary owner of the meme or related attributes? This adds complexity to the matter and a need to investigate things from a case-by-case basis which can be difficult and tiresome.


Reference list
Shifman L., “Memes In Digital Culture”, MIT Press, 2013
Stahl, C., “The Best Internet Memes Make Communication An Art Form. But There Is A Dark Side.”, NBC News, 2019
Wikihow team, “How To Make A Meme: 14 Steps (With Pictures)”, 2020                                             
Nair, R., “The Relevance Of Memes In The Millennial Age Of Social”, The Drum, 2018          
Guadamuz, A., “Do Memes Infringe Copyright? | Copyright Licensing Agency” Cla, 2019
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Mow Debnath is the content creator for True Blog Posts. She resides in London, United Kingdom and is working towards completing her degree in Business Management.
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