As any internet-savvy millennial will tell you, the meme history is long, convoluted, and utterly fascinating. Most of us probably regard them as nothing more than a source of light-hearted amusement.
The principle that launched memes is vital in two key areas of business public relations and advertising. Today, we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic memes.
The History of Memes
The word meme is a shortening of meme from the Greek mīmēma, meaning “imitated thing.” It was first coined by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene. He defined it as “a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation.”
The earliest known memes date back to the early days of the internet when people started sharing things like lolcats. These are images of cats with amusing captions, and typing in all caps to indicate shouting.
Since then, they have evolved and proliferated at an astounding rate. In the age of social media, they are one of the most effective and efficient means of communication.
What is a Meme?
It is an often-humorous or satirical piece of digital media that is widely shared. Usually, these are images with a caption that includes a clever pun or pop culture reference. They can be videos, GIFs, or even hashtags.
It is also a behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture—often to convey a particular message or meaning.
The Rise of the Internet Meme
A meme is an image, video, or piece of text that is copied and shared on the internet, often to make people laugh. Cyberspace has played a key role in the spread of memes. They can be created using a meme generator and shared quickly online.
Additionally, they often go viral and spread far and wide through social media and other online platforms. The rise of the internet meme has been propelled by sites like 4chan and Reddit, which are known destinations for meme creation and sharing.
Today, memes are a ubiquitous part of internet culture. They can be funny, clever, thought-provoking, or just plain silly. Generally, they can be generated for any topic, but some of the most popular memes are about relatable situations, funny animals, and pop culture references.
The Dark Side of Memes
While memes can be fun and harmless, there is also a dark side to this phenomenon. They have been used to spread hate speech, promote conspiracy theories, and even incite violence. In the age of the internet, it’s easier than ever for these dangerous memes to reach a wide audience.
Fortunately, there are also plenty of good memes out there. In recent years, they’ve been used to raise awareness about important issues, start important conversations, and even raise money for charity. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the role of memes in our culture.
The Future of Memes Starts Today
A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that becomes a fad and spreads by imitation from person to person within a society. The term is often used to refer to internet memes, such as image macros, which are spread via the web.
So, there you have it, a brief history of memes. Now go forth and create some of your own today!
