Internet Memes About the Future: Prolegomena to Research Methodology

The article develops techniques and methods for analyzing Internet memes as sources for studying images of the future of modern culture. The strategy for interpreting memes is based on existing approaches to studying visual metaphor and creolized text and includes the transfer of information from the source area to the target area with the establishment of relations between the frame and topos of the Internet meme. Using diagrams, the author demonstrates approaches to reading visual metaphor, creolized text, and various types of Internet memes. The final part of the article analyzes memes about the future of Russia.