A meme is worth a thousand laughs

Since the start of the cricket world cup over a month ago, there’s no stopping the memes. Be it Sarfaraz Ahmed’s yawn, a comparison between 2019 and 1992 cricket world cups, a cat trying to squeeze into a narrow wall… Memes have ruled the internet.

So what’s a meme? It’s an image, a video or a phrase or graphics interchange format (Gif) that’s humorous in nature and is widely circulated on internet. A meme must “go viral” to be successful.

Remember that cricket fan whose image went viral after the Pakistan-Australia cricket match, that guy at the right place at the right time, posturing a complex mix of disappointment, frustration and outrage after Pakistan lost to Australia? His family and friends call him Muhammad Sarim Akhtar but his social media followers know him as the Meme Guy.

“To see Muhammad Asif drop David Warner’s catch barely 10 feet from where I sat in the stadium was really disappointing. I stood up in disbelief, and somehow that expression of mine got caught on camera — and went viral,” he say.

“Obviously, I was elated,” says Akhtar. “My son made me a father’s day card with my picture and a caption, ‘My father is in the news’”.

Generally, so far, the sense of humour around the world cup has been “good natured”. “That doesn’t mean a darker side does not exist. It’s impossible to generate a meme that someone somewhere will not enjoy,” says Zainab Durrani, Project Manager at Digital Rights Foundation.

Zainab thinks of the Aunty Gormint meme, where the lady in question was not pleased with her portrayal. “A person shouldn’t fear instant popularity or notoriety because they’ve given their opinion online or through the broadcast media.”

She adds, taking a person’s picture and circulating it without his or her consent is unlawful (under section 24 of PECA). “The question of public domain arises if a meme has been made from an already published picture — and the law is silent on that.”

Hammad Anwar, Co-Founder and Lead Curator Mani’s Cricket Myths, says “Memes have become a way to express thoughts and energies, but sometimes they cross the limits.” He mentions the image of three Afghan girls watching a match with a nasty caption, “During the Pakistan-Afghanistan match, there were tonnes of sick memes on Afghans after a fight broke out between the supporters from the two countries.”

Memer Moin Nazim says, “It [meme] can become a disaster. Still 90 percent of the time, it’s a hit.” He also used Sarim Akhtar as a character in one of his memes. “Sarim was going viral as he showed what the match was really about. I couldn’t resist making a meme on him. I respect him as he took every joke light-heartedly.”

“A meme has to be spontaneous. Otherwise it loses its relevance. It’s like a chain reaction of emotions, where everything must be timed well. For a meme on a cricket match of the world cup, one typically has the last seven overs — to work on the catchy phrases and attractive artwork.”

Another memer, Ahmer Naqvi, known better as @KarachiKhatmal, says, “To create a meme, a person needs to have an eye for the picture and a sharp and humourous mind. They must relate with the current scenario – that’s exactly why Sarim’s picture went viral.”

But, he say, “the interesting thing is… one will never understand the context if that particular moment has passed.”

‘Rants of a Pakistani Citizen’ is a Facebook page with over 12k followers. The page admin prefers to stay anonymous as he uses an alternative identity to upload unpopular opinions about society, religion and politics. A memer since 2011, he says, for an effective meme, “using anything from the Game of Thrones is easy as people can relate to it, using an extreme expression is also easy… But before sending out a meme one must ask oneself if it sounds funny.”

Amber Rahim Shamsi, who is a prolific twitterati, says, “In this political crisis mode, we’ve developed a sense of humour which makes it easier to deal with disappointments. And as a picture is worth a thousand words, people instantly relate to these.”

She thinks humour cannot be censored, even if it is in bad taste. Still, she adds, “Memers must be mindful of provocation, racism, sexism and hate.”

In today’s often lonely and bored life, memes offer some relief from the monotony of mundane life!

This article was published in TNS on 7 July 2019

Handy crafts

As I was idly scrolling pictures on Instagram, I saw a friend’s post recommending Magpie Crafts. I clicked on the link and reached the account of Meher Farhan, the lady behind the very creative products made out of recycled paper.

At first I was a bit surprised, because I believe the whole concept of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle — or Replace, Reduce, and Refine) has outlived its appeal. However, as long as it is based on environment-friendly modules, I am happy.

I dug Farhan’s contact, and got in touch with her for a quick profile. The young lady told me that she has a Masters degree in Marketing from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Melbourne. She said that she began in the business sometime last year, following a great deal of research on how she could contribute towards saving the environment.

She uses newspapers and any other paper that is likely to be discarded. “It doesn’t cost much, but the whole process asks for a lot of energy.”

She uses newspapers and any other paper that is likely to be discarded. “It doesn’t cost much, but the whole process asks for a lot of energy.”

“In school we were taught a lot of things about climate change, and how to reduce the use of plastic, to recycle paper etc., in order to save the environment and living beings,” she said. “Recycling paper cannot only help to reduce pollution, and dumping trash in landfills can save trees by reducing the felling of trees in order to make paper.

“Paper is something we are always wasting in one form or the other, so I thought of recycling it — but in a creative way.”

Recycling paper dates back to the pre-industrial era. In present times, we know of recycling plants that create useable material out of waste paper. Also, plastics and other waste can be reused. But this is not an easy task, especially if an individual takes it upon herself. Farhan, therefore, needs to be applauded for making an effort in the right direction. She uses newspapers and any other paper that is likely to be discarded. “It doesn’t cost much, but the whole process asks for a lot of energy,” she added.

“Weather and water play a major role in creating the end product. Before starting work I make sure that rain is not predicted in the next few days, because moisture can affect the quality of the product. While I am working, I try to restrict the use of water since I am trying to save the environment. Sadly, the industries waste a lot of water in their many processes.”

In the beginning, Farhan made things with simple, recycled paper but soon she realised that she had to add creativity to it otherwise it wouldn’t grab the buyers’ attention. She then started applying watercolours to create bookmarks and notebook covers, with quotes and sayings written on these.

“While I am working, I try to restrict the use of water since I am trying to save the environment. Sadly, the industries waste a lot of water in their many processes.”

In October 2018, Magpie Crafts was introduced in the market at a shopping mall in Gulberg. This was followed by a display stall at the Haryali Market (Green Market). Farhan said that “while people praised my work they weren’t really willing to buy [the products], even though we have reasonable prices. Perhaps, they like to pick stuff from branded shops only.

“I am concerned because they aren’t really aware of the importance of using products like these. They don’t even care [about it].”

Talking about the choice of her brand name, Farhan said, “After I had finalised the project, I spent a lot of time deciding a name. It was during a visit to Hunza where I saw these tiny beautiful and graceful birds called Magpies that inspired me to give this name to my line of products.”

Today, Magpie is her trademark, and it appears on her logo.

As Farhan is the sole worker on the project, she has to invest a lot of time and effort, apart from money, for the work to be done and marketed properly. But she said it’s all worth it, “as I am playing my role in saving the environment.

“We all need to make a conscious effort to recycle paper and plastic; that is the only way to ensure that our future generations lead a healthy life.”

This article was published in TNS  5 May 2019