When there is a topic or debate that needs to be talked about or addressed, where do you turn to…the ‘Public Sphere. An area, such as a coffee shop, bar, or sports club (truly a metaphor in itself) which gives people the opportunity to converse in a social setting and interact about relevant topics discussed in the media or broader society. But what really is a Public Sphere? The concept of a Public Sphere was invented by German Philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who describes it as a place of virtual or an imaginary community that does not necessarily exist in any identifiable physical realm. In its ideal form, the public sphere is “Made up of private people gathered together as a public community articulating the needs of society in relation to the state” (Habermas, Sara Lennox and Frank Lennox, 1974). However, throughout the course of time, the public sphere has been enhanced by the emergence of different ‘publics’ and different spaces (for example social media).

With the rapid progression and influence of the internet, people from all over the world can now interact through specific websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Reddit and even more recently Tik-Tok. Throughout the course of time, the public sphere has become considerably impacted by the online world, we see less face to face interaction, but yet, more social domain. Thus significantly impacting the call for mediation within the ‘Public Sphere’. The websites highlighted above, have all in some way, mediated themselves, this is usually through having rules or restrictions in what can and can’t be uploaded. However, there are also certain aspects of the internet that can’t be facilitated through this ‘mediated’ form, I am talking about memes – yes memes.

The picture above, is most relevant to today’s day and age and the uncertain times society is currently facing. Although these times are challenging, the image is used to convey feelings of humour. Everyone can relate to it because quite literally the whole world is presently experiencing the same feeling. It is something like a bond, in which unites us all by laughing and enjoying a funny but simple piece of work.

However, in contrast to the meme above, there are also many other memes that attempt to bring controversy within society, such as the one illustrated below:

The above meme, amongst many others, brings controversy to any place that it is received or posted. Although most memes are created to evoke a humorous response, some can be appalling to look at, and prompt quite an opposite response to humour. In this instance, the above image clearly resembles the unspeakable events that took place on September 11^th 2001. When it comes to this meme, it brings debate and controversy of people seemingly mocking the attacks and downplaying the 3,000 lives lost and the family’s that were impacted by this horrific dark day in history. With this in mind it does pose several questions, What is considered humour? Are these memes created to point fun at sensitive issues and in doing so opening up public discourse and bringing people to talk and criticise ideas? 

Within this particular public sphere of memes, these questions will always be proposed, memes have been shown to spark debates and cause controversy. They have posed many questions through the use of online media sources and as a form of mass media communication. We could say to just avoid what is being portrayed in these memes, but that does make you wonder, considering Habermas theory was to create a “realm of our social life in which something approaching public opinion can be formed” (Habermas, Lennox and Lennox, 1974), does that mean then conversation and understanding would stagnate and no longer progress? Only time and the opinions in society will tell. 

References:

Habermas, The Public Sphere. 2020. Habermas, The Public Sphere. Available at: https://users.manchester.edu/FacStaff/SSNaragon/Kant/LP/Readings/Habermas.html. [Accessed 18th April 2020].

GNOVIS. 2020. Hierarchies of Meme-ing: Some Thoughts on Memes and the Public Sphere – GNOVIS. Available at: http://www.gnovisjournal.org/2017/09/21/hierarchies-of-meme-ing-some-thoughts-on-memes-and-the-public-sphere/. [Accessed 20th April 2020].

Jürgen Habermas and the Public Sphere. 2020. Jürgen Habermas and the Public Sphere. Available at: https://www.media-studies.ca/articles/habermas.htm. [Accessed 18th April 2020]

Know Your Meme. 2020. September 11th, 2001 Attacks | Know Your Meme. Available at: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/september-11th-2001-attacks. [Accessed 23 April 2020].

SpringerLink. 2020. On the Reconfiguration of the Public Sphere and the Changing Political Landscape of Postrevolutionary Iran | SpringerLink. Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-137-07175-0_4. [Accessed 22 April 2020].