8 Ways to Sunday

It’s really all so much mental masturbation, but it’s fun, in a way, and isn’t that what’s masturbation’s all about anyhow?

The “page 23, sentence 5″ meme spread like wildfire through the blogosphere, packed to the rafters with logophiles like so much dry kindling. In it’s wake has come some of the most extensive analysis and meme-tracking I’ve seen in my short blogging career.

Chris Vincent was the first meme-tracker I discovered, though not the first to attempt it. By far the most thorough and successful job was done by Kellan Elliott-McCrea at LaughingMeme, sticking so slavishly close to classic meme theory as to become sneakily self-satirical in the process. Paulo of How Now Brownpau? also gave it a shot before discovering Kellan’s analysis, and was clever enough to point out that tracking the meme had become a meme in and of itself.

It’s not over yet, either. The meme has mutated into a half-dozen new variations, including a haiku version and an exquisite corpse version that I plan on trying here when I get back home to my books. There’s also a “post 23″ version based on your own blog that should be easy enough to pull off, though I shudder to think what I might find.

My fellow workers in the non-profit arena may find something of interest in a two-day conference starting this Friday at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The topic is the potential downside for social justice organizations of incorporating as a non-profit in today’s socio-political climate. Alternatives to the classic section 501(c)3 status, based on examples from other countries, will be explored as part of the discussion.

Pre-registration is closed. If you’re in the area this weekend and want to attend, you might try calling the contact number at the bottom of the page to see if you can register at the door. (via LaughingMeme)