The killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis sparked protests and made her a symbol for anti-ICE movements. However, her image was quickly involved in a smear campaign through AI edits and crude Photoshops, a process dubbed "Reneeification" online.

The Trend of Post-Mortem Denigration

This phenomenon follows similar trends, such as "Kirkification" (the grotesque alteration of Charlie Kirk's image) and the post-mortem denigration of George Floyd. AI has accelerated this process, making it easier and faster to create offensive memes and spread misinformation.

Necromemetics and Symbolic Distortion

Ruby Justice Thelot, a professor at New York University, defines this phenomenon as "necromemetics," the ability to inflict a symbolic death on an individual through the circulation of memes and digital images. The goal is to create discord and conflict, separating rather than uniting.

Meme Coins and Monetization of Hate

The spread of meme cryptocurrencies based on the distorted image of Renee Good and other controversial figures highlights how hate and misinformation are being monetized online. This fuels a vicious cycle in which the pursuit of engagement and profit prevails over respect for human dignity.

The Difficult Management of Online Hate

Even those who are outraged by these memes contribute to their spread, amplifying their reach. The challenge is to find a way to counter online hate without further fueling it. The proliferation of AI-generated images makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction, fueling distrust in the media and images themselves.