Talk:Global struggle against violent extremism

From SourceWatch
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Hi AI. From what I can tell, "violent extremism" or the "global struggle" against it, are phrases, not memes. But then, I don't really understand what a meme is or why it is even important to have one.

If the "global struggle against violent extremism" is a meme, then what collective human activity is NOT a meme?

--confused again.

Sorry, but a meme works on the internet similar to "viral marketing". I applied it in this context as you can see how the phrase was introduced and then used repeatedly in speech after speech in various formats to spread it. Just like "war on terror" and "war on terrorism", it takes on its own existence. In this case, the "war on terror" meme has been superceded by "global struggle against violent extremism". It is particularly effective, since Powell, Myers, and John Kerry, as well as others, have already agreed that this was not a war in the military sense but more a "struggle" against "violent extremists" .... the petri dish was ready and waiting.

Perhaps if you read over the meme article in the dKosopedia, you'll get a better idea:

"A successful meme is characterized by people's willingness to send the meme on to other people, so that it will spread. ... Thus the important characteristics of a meme are: memorable, recallable, spreadable, applicable, credible and terminal.
"Crucial to the use of memes in political discourse is their insertion. Inserting a meme is an attempt to have other people repeat the meme and use it. A meme is said to be 'insertable' when it is in a form which will be readily remembered and repeated. A bumpersticker spreads a meme by making people want to put it on their vehicle, an email message spreads when people forward it. Political operatives have a variety of means to attempt insertion from "trial balloons" through political advertising, blast faxes and providing video tape to news organizations to run as part of their broadcasts. However, insertion does not always insert the meme that an operative intended, for example, the 'Misson Accomplished' banner was an attempt to insert the idea that victory had been achieved in Iraq, but is now a factoid for Rovian manipulation, and part of the 'Republicans will do anything to spin the public' meme."

The dKosopedia adds: "Political discourse works by asserting memes which end discussion, or stop thinking. They are buttressed by, or countered by, other memes and factoids, and held together by tropes."

Therefore, the DoD folks began by inserting "struggle against violent extremism" and have bumped it up to "global" status. Another variation on the meme you will notice is the "Middle East and Central Asia are the centers of gravity in today's struggle against violent extremism", which focuses things.

In addition to the original meme, you will see that the reference is made a number of times to Iraq not being the only battle in the "struggle" .... which lays more groundwork. Acceptance and use of the original meme allows for expansion and more acceptance.

If you really think about it, there have been many, many memes employed by the Bushies: "why do they hate us?" ... what can truly follow that logic?

Really confused now? Artificial Intelligence 14:43, 27 Jul 2005 (EDT)

Addendum ... and you might notice that it only took MSM three months to report the "slogan" change ... How many times do you suppose it was repeated before somebody caught on? 

Thanks, AI. That helped; and I'm appreciative. --Maynard

Examples of use of meme "violent extremism"

External Links

Jon Stewart (war, safari, struggle, boondoggle, whatever) and Stephen Colbert put it pretty well on maybe July 27. but it's still a phrase or slogan more than anything else (except political boondoggle and plundering of the treasury).

Retrieved from "https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Talk:Global_struggle_against_violent_extremism&oldid=145363"