memes.cjtrowbridge.com

Doomscrolling

First Seen:

2023-06-15T02:22:04+00:00

Gemma-3-27b's Take:

Okay, let's break down this meme using the requested theoretical frameworks. It's a strong candidate for several approaches due to its subtle commentary on social dynamics and internal experience. **Visual Description** The meme is a two-panel format featuring a still of Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) from the US version of *The Office*. He's in a workplace setting, looking directly at the camera with a slightly smug, confiding expression. * **Panel 1:** Text superimposed: "We do not check the refrigerator in hope to find new food." Michael is gesturing with his hand, as if presenting a counterargument or defending a position. * **Panel 2:** Text superimposed: "We check to see if our standards dropped enough to eat what was available." Michael gives a slight smirk, suggesting a hidden truth. The bottom corner includes the watermark "@NikeLovers." The contrast between the stated denial and the confessed reality creates the comedic and critical effect. The office setting implies a relatable workplace dynamic. --- **Foucauldian Genealogical Discourse Analysis** This meme is prime fodder for a Foucauldian analysis. The “truth” about why people check the refrigerator isn't a natural fact. It's *produced* through discourse, specifically the discourses of self-control, desire, and standards. * **Power/Knowledge:** The meme reveals how power operates *through* internalized expectations. We are not simply driven by biological hunger. We are governed by a "regime of truth" that tells us what constitutes acceptable food, what is worthy of consumption, and, consequently, what our *standards* should be. The "checking" isn't about finding food, but *assessing compliance* with those standards. * **Genealogy:** A genealogical investigation might trace the historical development of these "standards." Where did these ideas about “good” food vs. “leftovers” come from? How have they changed over time (e.g., the rise of food safety concerns, the influence of marketing, the emphasis on "fresh" ingredients)? * **Discipline:** The act of repeatedly checking the fridge is a form of self-discipline, a constant monitoring of oneself against perceived norms. It's a micro-level manifestation of power's ability to shape even our everyday behaviors. --- **Critical Theory** From a critical theory perspective, the meme critiques the ways in which societal norms influence our personal experiences, and how those norms can be both insidious and absurd. * **Ideology:** The meme exposes a subtle ideology embedded in everyday life. The "standards" aren't rationally determined; they're socially constructed and reinforce a system of valuing certain things (e.g., novelty, freshness) over others (e.g., resourcefulness, practicality). * **False Consciousness:** The initial statement ("We do not check...") represents a form of "false consciousness" – a belief that we are acting rationally or independently when, in fact, our actions are driven by underlying social forces. * **Commodification & Consumerism:** There's a subtle link to consumer culture. The desire for “new” food implies an acceptance of a system where discarding and replacing are preferred over utilizing what's already available. --- **Marxist Conflict Theory** While not overtly a class-based analysis, a Marxist reading can still find relevant dynamics. * **Alienation:** The meme touches upon a form of alienation. We are alienated not just from the production of food, but from the simple act of satisfying hunger. The "standards" create a barrier between ourselves and our basic needs. * **Cultural Capital:** “Standards” regarding food quality, freshness, and variety function as a form of cultural capital. Those who can afford to be "picky" or dismiss leftovers demonstrate their status, while those who are constrained by economic circumstances might be forced to lower their "standards." * **Commodity Fetishism:** The pursuit of "new" food overshadows the actual nutritional value or purpose of eating. The value is placed on the *appearance* or *novelty* of the commodity rather than its actual utility. --- **Postmodernism** A postmodern interpretation would focus on the instability of meaning and the deconstruction of grand narratives. * **Deconstruction of Truth:** The meme embodies the postmodern idea that "truth" is not absolute but constructed through language and social practices. The two panels reveal the gap between stated intention and actual motivation, highlighting the fluidity of meaning. * **Simulacra & Simulation:** The "standards" themselves can be seen as a *simulacrum* – a copy without an original. They’re a set of expectations that have little connection to actual nutritional needs or practical concerns. * **Irony & Meta-Commentary:** The meme is inherently ironic. It invites us to question our own motivations and recognize the absurdity of our own self-deceptions. --- **Queer Feminist Intersectional Analysis** (This is where it gets more nuanced and requires some interpretive stretching, but is plausible) While not immediately obvious, a queer feminist intersectional reading can be applied: * **Standards & Conformity:** The "standards" represent broader societal expectations of *proper* behavior, and these standards disproportionately affect marginalized groups. Refusing to eat leftovers might be a subtle form of upholding a "clean" or "perfect" aesthetic that privileges certain bodies and lifestyles over others. * **Resourcefulness & Care:** Those who are marginalized often have to be more resourceful and find creative ways to make do with limited resources. The meme’s critique of “standards” could be connected to a valuing of practicality, resilience, and care – qualities often associated with marginalized communities. * **Subverting Expectations:** The confession in the second panel, acknowledging the “dropping standards”, can be read as a subversive act. It challenges the pressure to maintain appearances and embrace a more realistic, messy, and authentic way of living. This can be particularly resonant for queer and feminist perspectives. I hope this detailed breakdown is helpful! It demonstrates how a seemingly simple meme can be a rich site for theoretical analysis.

Llama-3.2-11b's Take:

This meme is a humorous take on a common office scenario. It features a character from the TV show "The Office" (Dwight Schrute) standing at a whiteboard, writing out a series of increasingly absurd and mundane tasks he is supposed to complete. The text on the board reads: "We do not check the refrigerator multiple times in hopes of finding new food. We check to see if our standards have dropped enough to eat what was available."