Folklore doesn't meme what you think it memes | Lynne McNeill | TEDxUSU

When most people think of “folklore” they think of the old, the rural, the rustic. They typically don’t think of the Internet, a technology that, if anything, is commonly judged to be dismantling our culture: destroying our interpersonal skills, squashing our cultural vitality, killing our individual creativity. Surprisingly, however, communications technologies like mobile phones, tablets, and computers have become the locus of a huge expanse of contemporary folk culture. Understanding the nature of folklore helps us identify the positive elements of digital culture.
Lynne S. McNeill was born and raised in northern California, and if she had known what a folklorist was when she was a child, she’d have wanted to be one when she grew up. Happily, she is a folklorist now, teaching folklore classes at Utah State University and specializing in digital culture, legend, and belief. Lynne co-directs the Digital Folklore Project, serves as director of the online folklore minor and as reviews editor for the journal Contemporary Legend, and tweets as an old, male folklorist named Wayland Hand. She is the author of Folklore Rules, the most fabulous introductory text book you’ll ever read (assuming that you 1: read it some day, and 2: avoid other really fabulous textbooks). Lynne has appeared on Animal Planet and the Food Network, and has been a repeat guest on PRI’s RadioWest. She is a collector of wines and loves to travel.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@AdrianasWonderland]

I am so in love in Fairytales in Folklore, I love this is a work of art of all humanity, we can reflect on what made humans humans and what still makes us humans. Amazing

[@Ephesians5-14]

This presentation may have changed the course of my academic career 🙏😊

[@gabriel_export]

Same here!

[@avishekparui4677]

This is utterly and astonishingly brilliant!!! And so so so true!

[@DavidBrocekArt]

People do not consider memes as a culture because it is it's very nature to not be taken seriously. This paradox is really blowing my brains out.

[@randomdude2540]

Memes are DNA

[@irynastavynska6329]

This is so amazing!

[@youngpeoplespavilion]

Thank you.

[@kataccount7439]

Stumbled into this. Great talk, would have loved her class.

[@lizabethhampton4537]

Kinda wanna see a revisiting of this topic in the wake of the ShantyTok revolution.

[@prakashrai9363]

Great idea to share!

[@dough8321]

What a wonderful lady!

[@D_A_R_Y_L_]

That woman killed it!!

[@joeragusin8756]

I have been a fan of hers for a few years now.absolutely my kinda woman!

[@Phoebelicious05]

THIS WAS SO COOL

[@jayati741]

I'm gonna tell this to my MOM

[@jackrollins2847]

whos here for folklore 100 with lowell?

[@miseciara]

aontaím go hiomlán - tá bealoideas thar a bheith tábhachtach, agus is fiú go mór béaloideas idirlín a chomháireamh.

[@ncmathura]

I think she is just fantastic (and hot)

[@narwhal6112]

Okay Neil, chill out pal

[@sheelenlich6190]

ここではそれらの人を大人と呼ぶ。そして私はそんな人たちを批判したいわけではない。しかし知っておいてほしい。自覚が必要だと考えているからだ。あなたたちの現状はこうであり、子供たちの現状はこうだと。

[@urbanwarchief]

intelligent

[@amystout7772]

who’s here after taylors album folklore lol

[@cantthinkofaname604]

XDD here!!

[@notme1797]

Oh heavens, the cancer is in my state. Can someone give it chemo?

[@melanieweaver5583]

would love to show this to my 15-year old students, BUT the t-shirt is offensive folklore!! Wish I had a way to cover it and still show it.

[@marijotodoric9750]

They don't care

[@fishsticks7609]

Try telling them it means “What the fudge” or something, lol

[@sant-oyo387]

@@fishsticks7609 15 year olds know wtf means

[@NationOfMasturbation]

Beautiful woman