A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture, often functioning as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices. Memes transmit information and replicate by human communication, whether written, oral, or in digital formats.
What is a Meme?
Definition
Coined by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book “The Selfish Gene,” a meme takes the form of a ‘cultural gene,’ reflecting how thoughts and concepts evolve in human societies. The term originates from the Greek word “mimema,” meaning “that which is imitated.”
Types of Memes
Internet Memes
Internet memes are specific iterations that spread primarily through online platforms like social media, forums, and messaging apps. They often consist of images, videos, gifs, or hashtags and are frequently humorous or satirical.
Classical Memes
Refers to pre-internet cultural symbols, ideas, or practices, such as traditional folklore, religious rituals, and iconic works of art or literature that have been passed down through generations.
Special Considerations
Viral Nature
Memes gain viral status based on their viral nature—how quickly they can be shared and spread among individuals. The internet has exponentially increased the speed and reach of meme propagation.
Memetic Mutation
As memes disseminate, they often undergo changes or “mutations”, transforming them into new versions of the initial idea. This concept parallels biological evolution, showcasing the adaptability of cultural elements to new contexts.
Examples
The “Pepe the Frog” Meme
Initially created by Matt Furie in 2005, this meme started as a benign comic character but evolved into various forms, some controversial, highlighting how memes can shift in meaning over time.
The “Distracted Boyfriend” Meme
This meme features a stock photo of a man looking at another woman while his girlfriend looks on in dismay. It has been widely adapted to represent various scenarios of distraction or desire.
Historical Context
The Origin
Dawkins conceptualized memes as a means to explain how cultural information spreads and evolves. He paralleled genes’ biological evolution with memes’ cultural evolution, thereby setting the stage for a new way of understanding cultural dynamics.
Applicability
Social Media
Memes are ubiquitous on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, serving as a language of their own, often packed with cultural or political significance.
Marketing
Memes offer powerful marketing tools that businesses can leverage for brand engagement by capitalizing on trending ideas or humor.
Comparisons
Memes vs. Genes
- Memes: Cultural elements that evolve based on replication through imitation.
- Genes: Biological elements that evolve based on replication through reproduction.
Related Terms
- Viral Content: Any form of content that becomes popular rapidly through internet sharing and taps into shared cultural understandings, often used interchangeably with “meme” in a digital context.
- Memetics: The study of information and culture based on an analogy with Darwinian evolution, drawing insights from how memes replicate and evolve.
FAQs
What makes a meme go viral?
- A meme goes viral if it is relatable, humorous, or significant to a broad audience, often aided by timing and platform algorithms.
Are memes impactful?
- Yes, memes can influence public opinion, cultural trends, and even political movements due to their rapid and wide reach.
References
- Dawkins, Richard. “The Selfish Gene.” Oxford University Press, 1976.
- Shifman, Limor. “Memes in Digital Culture.” MIT Press, 2013.
Summary
Memes are powerful vehicles for cultural transmission, acting as dynamic and evolving carriers of human ideas, behaviors, and styles. In an increasingly connected digital world, their role and impact have only expanded, making them an essential element of contemporary culture and communication.
