Images shared on social platforms often rely on familiar symbols to communicate critique. A raised fist, an empty plate, a crowded bus, or a distorted national emblem can evoke shared experiences of injustice, scarcity, or disillusionment. These symbols allow creators to bypass lengthy explanations and speak directly to collective memory. When reshared, such images gain additional meaning as they are reframed by new audiences, captions, and contexts, transforming individual expression into a form of networked commentary.
Images shared on social platforms often rely on familiar symbols to communicate critique. A raised fist, an empty plate, a crowded bus, or a distorted national emblem can evoke shared experiences of injustice, scarcity, or disillusionment. These symbols allow creators to bypass lengthy explanations and speak directly to collective memory. When reshared, such images gain additional meaning as they are reframed by new audiences, captions, and contexts, transforming individual expression into a form of networked commentary.
