what is i.g.m.a?
I.G.M.A. is a library intended to provide those who peruse it information and knowledge pertaining to meme trends, history, and analysis from the platform Instagram. It also serves as an archival storage site, so in the case that it is shut down, the content (as much as is documented here) can still live on here.
who begAN I.G.M.A? Why?
I did. I have been an Instagram user since around 2011, and I have seen the content on the site evolve in conjunction with meme evolution on several other platforms. Instagram specifically is the only major platform that requires an account to access and post information. The password-protection provides a slightly higher barrier to entry in terms of ease in stealing and reposting content. This is in contrast with websites like Reddit, where every meme format has its own subreddit and tires out each new innovative format. Memes stick around longer, and more nuanced memes can thrive more so than on most other websites. Couple that with a unique number of characteristics in content and a poor reputation (often it is criticized for being infested with "normies"), it makes the platform that much more intriguing and worth looking into. With this website I hope to preserve some of what has been observed and document some key contributions Instagram meme creators have made to the overall cause.
b-b-but instagram is for normies!
False. Granted, it is tough for new users to find good meme pages, or just good content in general (that isn't screenshots of T*mblr and Tw*tter). After a long time looking, however, the explore page will grant you a surprisingly decent selection of meme content. This has certainly been my experience. Now, this in no way means that there isn't an overwhelming amount of garbage on the platform, as there is tons.
What makes you such an expert?
Well, I'm certainly no expert, but I have been on the internet for longer than I haven't, and have seen all manner of things transpire. This is the internet, though, so of course I could just be lying about all this and you'd have to take my word for it. But when has that stopped anyone else? Plus, bragging about being a recluse and knowing these things isn't the noblest thing. I'm not curing cancer. But I do hope that people appreciate the work I've put in and can add to their knowledge of memes and I find it interesting how these things work.