“Web 3.0” Memes: Utilising Deepfake Technology to Create Memes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2298/GEI2502021NKeywords:
Digital folklore, memes, deepfakes, digital popular lore, TikTokAbstract
In the digital popular lore of social networking, commentary on current events and behaviours perceived negatively by users is often expressed through a ‘new’ genre of folklore: memes. However, like many elements that spread through social media, memes became a ‘trend,’ and trends frequently ebb and flow or are replaced by new ones. As a result, memes are now sometimes considered outdated. A defining feature of digital lore, though, is its adaptability to new technologies. With the advent of Web 3.0, memes, which were once static and textbased, have evolved their morphological features. Animation has become the dominant mode, and memes are now predominantly shared through platforms like TikTok and vertical videos on various social media. A current trend in this evolving meme culture is the use of deepfakes. Deepfake technology, a type of artificial intelligence, is used to create highly convincing fake images, videos, and audio recordings. The term “deepfake” comes from a combination of “deep learning” and “fake.” Despite its often threatening implications and the technical expertise it requires, deepfake technology has recently been used frequently to parody or comment on politicians and figures involved in current affairs. This practice has led to the creation of a new type of meme that, while retaining the central characteristics of ‘traditional’ memes, has evolved by leveraging cutting-edge technology, thus ensuring the genre remains dynamic and relevant in the digital vernacular.
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