US college class on memes explains to seniors creative ways people get ‘snarky’ online

Adrienne Lee, art historian, with one of her Instagram posts during her 90-minute, weekly class on Friday, July 6, 2018 at Rollins College. Lee discusses “Art History in Pop Culture: How the Internet Changes How We See Art.” (Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

WINTER PARK, Florida: Nancy Shutts, 78, first encountered Internet memes a couple of years ago when her grandson shared a term paper he wrote for a college class. She couldn't understand what the big deal was about the silly social media images with text – usually related to current events. 

“I am so left-brained, this does not mean squat to me,” said Shutts, who has a degree in medical technology. “But I'm constantly looking at new things to expand my knowledge.”