AIBU?
To be thoroughly sick of internet memes that "raise awareness"?
Sansarya · 11/08/2015 12:33
So today’s one was this. I have a cousin with stage 4 breast cancer. What will help her is donations to cancer charities or cancer research organisations, not silly pink pictures of teddy bears or butterflies or coy games about what colour your bra is. I don't think anyone is unaware of what cancer is and a link to a cancer charity's website, though far less fun, is what would actually help. Why do people still share this crap?
Sansarya · 11/08/2015 12:42
One of the most stupid ones I’ve come across in recent years was the “change your Facebook profile pic to a cartoon character to raise awareness of child abuse”. Then, a week or two later another message was being shared saying something along the lines of “don’t change your profile pic to a cartoon character – this was devised by paedos who want to target you”. I’m not sure which statement was more ridiculous…
SilenceOfTheSAHMs · 11/08/2015 12:51
Don't get me started. My irritants are as follows-
"Share if you hate cancer" I feel like saying something along the lines of "If I don't does it mean I by default like cancer?
"For every like she gets, Facebook will donate $1 to her operation bill" No, they won't, how thick are some people?
"Romanian refugees shaving childrens' heads in toilets of Asda to abduct them" Nonsense.
"Come join me on my inspirational journey of self discovery and healthy clean living" Roughly translates as "Come and sign yourself up to make a pittance pissing about selling overpriced aloe vera/juiceplus/forever living delete as appropriate.
Stupour · 11/08/2015 13:04
Ooooh I do love a good meme only recently discovered it was pronounced meem rather than me-me
My favourite is my cousin who's a Britain First fanatic. I'm grateful that he's helped me to be aware of the fact that bloody foreigners are presenting enormous risks to me every time I step out of my house. Last week he tagged me in a post about slim, blonde women being abducted from bus stops to be sold into the sex industry. I'm not sure if it was some thinly veiled attempt to chat me up by implying I'm blonde and slim.
Or the others are a few girls I went to school with always posting memes about 'I love my kids' and 'Re-post if you love your kids', the implication being that those who don't re-post are obviously failing as parents. It's just embarrassing and makes me think judgey and snobby things about these people.
MissMarplesBloomers · 11/08/2015 13:19
So glad its not just me!!!
I always feel a party pooper but when these stupid coy "games" come round each year to "raise awareness" I opt out as it seems to be that even the most sensible of my friends go stupid over it.
No I won't bloody post that I'm off to South America /insert ridiculous phrase of your choice here, if you want to support XYZ charity bloody say so & post a useful link.
And don't get me STARTED on chain letters ........
BAH!!!!
iklboo · 11/08/2015 13:27
DH (amateur bodybuilder) has a habit of posting those 'inspirational' memes that basically imply that if you don't spend all day, every day at the gym busting your balls then you're a waste of DNA.
Like: 'obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe dedicated'
He doesn't understand why they piss me off.
Werksallhourz · 11/08/2015 13:31
Oh, crikey, I am going to have to disagree here.
dons hard hat
I can understand the annoyance over trite memes that "raise" awareness of illnesses or conditions that we all know about, but there are a number of conditions that could really do with more coverage because people are not aware of them at all.
I have such a condition and most of us with it are diagnosed too late, often when something tragic has already occurred. That's why, even though I have a massive problem with the Daily Mail, I do tip my hat to the paper because they will print health stories that help to raise awareness and can often provide a starting block to affected people to then find out further information.
They are one of the only papers that will cover stories about "natural killer cells" and miscarriage, for example (this is not my condition, but somewhat similar).
I also think the FB memes for organisations like Sands, conditions such as thalassemia, or to encourage BME blood donations (indeed, any blood donations as our blood banks are frightening low) are very worthwhile -- the sort of thing that falls outside of "regular" awareness but is actually a fairly significant problem.
Indomitable · 11/08/2015 13:38
Just seconds after seeing this thread one of my fb friends shares Teal Teddy to "raise awareness" of ovarian cancer. I pointed out the the name "ovarian cancer" didn't enlighten me at all about the condition. We both then found infographics that explained symptoms. (And I hope she wasn't upset).
PurpleDaisies · 11/08/2015 13:47
I agree with you werkz if that was what people shared-actual information or links to the organisation but what normally happens is you get something like a picture of a minion saying "I hate cancer. Let's raise awareness of cancer. Please share this post" which tells you nothing useful at all.
Gottagetmoving · 11/08/2015 14:03
On FB too many people want to give the impression that everything is so lovely and flowery in their world.
They love everyone and adore their kids/mothers/dads/sisters/brothers...
Its all gushy nonsense.
I love my family, but memes like 'Share if you could you strangle your daughter/son/mother/husband' or 'Share if your family are a pain in the arse' would suit me better.
I take it for granted that people love their kids/family,..they don't have to tel me every week!
I often post 'YUK' on the gushy posts and people are horrified.
CamelHump · 11/08/2015 14:46
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
specialsubject · 11/08/2015 14:51
'awareness' is a nauseating piece of manager-babble, and I detest it.
I did see a useful poster on such a subject, regarding people with dementia. It was in a hospital and gave some really useful hints on why people with dementia behave as they do, and what you can REALLY do to assist.
now that's the kind of 'awareness' we need. Not silly pink things.
WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 11/08/2015 17:42
If you like meaningless memes there's a great page on Facebook called Contrived Platitudes, with gems like "Everything happens for a reason except when it doesn't. But even then you can, in hindsight, fabricate a reason that will satisfy your belief system."
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