Response to Dustin Kidd’s Disabling a Meme

By: Alex Bennett
Text Type: Blog
Date: 12-13-2023

       Disabling a Meme by Dustin Kidd is a text that explains the way that digital images are encoded with meaningful messages. It specifically presents meme evaluation uniquely. Kidd finds that these images must first be examined without context to identify signifiers. Drawing connections between media and the imagery that gives it meaning is a large part of creating accessible content. I find that, whether we intend for it to happen or not, memes have the potential to change our perception of reality. Despite being humorous in nature, memes have the tendency to make strongly worded claims with oftentimes unfounded sources. As Kidd’s writing states, “images are social structures”, visual stimuli prompts viewers to store and evaluate how what is being depicted plays into their own bias, and cultural expectations.

       The process of encoding and decoding messages is especially true for the way that disabilities are treated within social media. I found myself confronted by the fact that “disability is a political and cultural term” (Kidd, 2017). Realizing that disabilities are only considered when they directly affect a way of life rather than being accommodated for at all times should prompt creators to change the content they make. Kidd makes it clear in this book that it is more about decency than it is about reaching a specific goal. Finding ways to regularly meet the needs of disabled and impaired individuals will promote community and content sharing.

        A lot of social media platforms have tools and features that are available to creators for making an accessible feed. I find that not enough digital creators are tapping into these resources. They often lean too much towards exclusively visual or audio content, rarely combining the two. This observation contributes to the tendency of media to perpetuate inequalities. Instead, disabled creators should have platforms and the ability to shape and control their own narratives. Disabling a Meme is nuanced, and provides its readers with the implications of their content and solutions that are adaptive. When we understand how disabilities are perceived we can also address the political manipulation found within a lot of memes, videos, and digital media.

       Maintaining awareness and providing a platform is only part of the solution. Creators can use inclusive design and text in their posts. Finding colors that are compatible with blindness, using accessible links and providing descriptions in the captions, are just some of the ways to create content that can be enjoyed by everyone. Additionally, using your platform to bring attention to the inequalities people face fosters a community that is healthy and encouraging. Following hashtags and trends associated with relevant causes will help people navigate between your content and other people with similar goals. When we go out of our way to encourage positive discussion people are more likely to want to engage with your platform and feel included in a system that perpetuates them in a different light. Regularly meeting and updating these parts of your social media presence is better for everyone overall.