Politics and Civic Cultures
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| (Meme 2020) |
But there is a new breed of political interest in todays generations, and online platforms have taken politics to a more relevant and interesting level. Highly informed and educated young people have taken a greater interest in politics, whether it be climate change or new embarrassing gaffes made by political leaders. It seems that the younger generation have reignited greater interest in politics and our leaders whether because of entertainment or warring against what has been.
Satirical memes and re-writes of current conversations provide comical relief from some of the harder more difficult political issues.
But how much of todays political online conversation is a direct reaction to Australia's infamous 'tall poppy syndrome'?
One of the most satirical online publishers is The Betoota Advocate. They cover current and relevant news and turn it around into a satirical and comical response. To date, The Betoota Advocate have over 770,000 followers on Facebook and many thousands more on Twitter and other social media platforms.
(The Betoota Advocate 2015)
I would suggest that generations of politically minded Australians have cultivated and ignited a culture of quick-witted and cynical publicists. Politics is often taken with a comedic tone in news publications, and this style of reporting appeals to the Australian way of reducing issues through humour and encouraging the tall poppy syndrome. If you can bring something down to a comedic meme or cheap shot, then you have controlled the news and reduced its seriousness.
Whether its our long generational line of mother England that instilled the stiff upper lip that has caused our opposite response or our blatant disregard for authority, it seems that Australians are king at reducing the seriousness of an issue and bringing the humour. Whatever the reason, our response to political and civic issues has resulted in a cascade of online platforms being used for satirical reporting and subjective commentary. I think it is also the way that many people cope with some of the more serious issues.
Worldwide political commentary has also taken a satirical tone. Take Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin (YouTube 2016). With the possibility of Sarah Palin and Donald Trump heading up American politics, Americans dealt with this through comedically reducing their power.
Australians also grabbed the popular "#auspol" (Bogle 2016) tag to generate and ignite political conversation or disagreement about current issues, using social media to make an often dreary topic alive again with debate and free speech.
Like most issues of our generation, social media and online platforms are being used in politics and civic culture, and for any institution to move forward it has to become one with the current climate of communication and technology.
References:
Bogle, A 2016, #auspol: The Twitter tag that Australia can't do without, Mashable March 6 2018, viewed 18 March 2018 < https://mashable.com/2016/03/21/twitter-australia-auspol/#4tvfXtsZUEqV>.
Facebook 2020, The Betoota Advocate, viewed 16 April 2020, <https://www.facebook.com/betootaadvocate/>.
The Betoota Advocate 2015, The Betoota Advocate in Canberra: #libspill, viewed 28 April 2020, <https://youtu.be/IE1IqoSOvmA>.
The Betoota Advocate [image], Meme 2020, viewed 17 April 2020,<https://me.me/i/e-the-betoota-advocate-home-breaking-news-headlines-sports-2-8k-7173240>.
Youtube 2016, Saturday Night Live, Palin Endorsement Cold Open - SNL, viewed 16 April 2020, <https://youtu.be/0pinZNYxQeo>.
I like your point about by reducing news to a comedic meme or cheap shot 'you have controlled the news and reduced its seriousness. I think, as you suggest, that the humour is so much more sophisticated and satirical. I'll be honest, I don't think much of Americans because they voted for Trump (serious damage to their global 'street cred' as a defender of democratic values), but I have seen Tina Fey's 'Sarah Palin', and some American comedians see a way to perhaps reduce the power these people have over society through humour. A question remains over whether it reduces their power in any real sense - but I suspect that is what a lot of digital activists who use social media as a springboard to real activism are doing.
ReplyDeleteSocial media has its problems, but the platforms are used by young people, and you are right - it has meant that politics is more relevant and interesting.
Interesting read. I like the focus on satire and how this has changed the face of politics on social media - it's an interesting angle to look at. I do believe platforms like Betoota Advocate are encouraging more young people to pay attention to the political landscape, and it provides a light-hearted community to get involved and dip a toe in the political commentary conversation. In addition, I agree with your comments on satire helping us cope with serious issues at play - I believe it makes them easier to digest.
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