I hate bumperstickers for two reasons: (1) I do not want to know every political opinion held by the people driving in front of me on I-5; and (2) They often boil down extremely complex topics into ridiculously oversimplified mottos. In summary, bumperstickers represent the shallow, narcissistic nature of American political discourse.
Now, having said that, I'm going to praise memes, the Internet version of a bumpersticker. Why? Because I'm a total hypocrite. But that's okay; hypocrisy is misunderstood.
In the science wars, some positions are so well-supported by mountains of data ("vaccines are safe and effective"), that every literate adult should embrace them. Alas, they do not. For people who reject facts, an appeal to emotion might work. Hence, the meme. It's simply a matter of reality that memes with funny pictures and clever text go viral, while the latest research paper from the Journal of the American Medical Association does not.
So, let's celebrate the plethora of pro-vaccine memes and cartoons with a selection of our favorites shown below:
#1. Impoverished people in developing countries have more sense than rich people.
#2. Good point. Also, peanut-free school zones don't work.
#3. This meme is available on a T-shirt, and the proceeds go toward a very worthy cause.
#4. Like the Oregon Trail, but far less fun.
#5. A history lesson.
#6. He makes a good point.
#7. The Most Interesting Man in the World has thoughts on vaccines.
#8. A sad commentary about the state of affairs in 2019.
#9. You know things are getting serious when Nurse Ratched gets involved.
#10. I need to get this for my daughter, who is due April 21.
There are many, many more where these came from. Here are some honorable mentions:
Honorable Mention: Sometimes Facebook comments are the greatest.
Honorable Mention: We know the type well.
Honorable Mention: This cartoon by Steve Sack from the Star Tribune nails it.
Honorable Mention: This would make an appropriate greeting card.
Honorable Mention: Very punny.
