General Meme: Understanding Internet Culture

In today’s digital world, memes have become a big part of our online lives. These funny images and videos spread fast, connecting us all.

Back in 1972, biologist Richard Dawkins first used the word “meme” to describe cultural ideas. Now, internet memes have grown into something unique online1. They help us share and connect, making our online world richer.

Understanding memes is key in today’s internet world. They are like cultural symbols that spread quickly2. But, they can also change fast, making it hard to know what they really mean, like “Take the Red Pill.”2 Emojis and images add even more to their meaning, beyond what they look like2.

Knowing how to read memes is more important than ever. It helps us get the jokes and deeper meanings behind them2. As memes keep growing, it’s clear we need to understand them better2.

Key Takeaways

  • Memes are a unique form of online expression and community building.
  • Understanding the nature of memes is crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of internet culture.
  • Meme literacy is becoming increasingly important for accurately interpreting online communication.
  • The rapid evolution of language through memes poses challenges for understanding the true meaning behind certain expressions.
  • The use of visuals and emojis in digital communication is crucial for conveying meaning beyond literal interpretation.

The Evolution and Propagation of Internet Memes

The world of internet memes has changed a lot. These cultural bits, like funny images or videos, are now a big part of our online lives. How they spread and last is interesting. It’s all about how they work, the patterns they follow, and the changing world of the internet.

Memetic Characteristics

Memes have traits that help them grow and change. A study looked at 2 million memes on Reddit from 2011 to 20203. It found that new memes were coming up fast, doubling every 6 months3. Also, memes were getting more complex over time, like art3.

Viral Patterns and Longevity

Memes spread like a disease, using a pattern called the SIR model4. As they move through online groups, they change and take on new meanings4. This is key to why some memes last a long time4. The study said that memes that start strong and are really unique tend to stick around3.

The internet has grown, and so has the use of memes in ads. This has changed how we see memes3. What was once valuable cultural content is now often just simple ideas3. But memes still have a big impact on our online world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f-JlzBuUUU

“Memes, coined by Richard Dawkins, are units of cultural transmission that form our cultural software, spread through observation, social learning, and media like the Internet.”4

Memes in Digital Culture: Defining the general meme

Limor Shifman, author of “Memes in Digital Culture,” defines Internet memes. She says they are “(a) a group of digital items sharing common characteristics of content, form, and/or stance, which (b) were created with awareness of each other, and (c) were circulated, imitated, and/or transformed via the Internet by many users.”5 This definition shows how memes are unique, unlike “virals,” which Shifman defines as “a single cultural unit (formulated in words, image or video) that is spread by multiple agents and is viewed by many millions.”5

Distinguishing Memes from Virals

Memes and virals are at opposite ends of a spectrum. A meme often starts as a viral5. Shifman’s work shows memes involve more user participation, imitation, and transformation6. For example, “Baby Cha-Cha” was first viral and then became a meme after being used in “Ally McBeal.”7

Internet Meme Genres

Shifman groups memes into nine genres, divided into three categories5. These include Reaction Photoshops, Photo Fads, Flash Mobs, Recut Trailers, Misheard Lyrics, Bad Dubbing, and LOL Cats6. This variety shows the rich culture of Internet memes and how users interact with digital content.

Internet meme genres

Shifman’s work helps us understand Internet memes. By comparing memes to virals and exploring meme genres, we see their impact on digital culture, social media, and humor567.

Meme Genre Description
Reaction Photoshops Manipulated images featuring a specific reaction or expression
Photo Fads Images or photos that inspire users to create similar content
Flash Mobs Coordinated group actions or performances in public spaces
Recut Trailers Edited movie trailers that change the tone or genre of the original film
Misheard Lyrics Humorous interpretations of song lyrics that differ from the original
Bad Dubbing Altered audio or dialogue that creates comedic mismatches
LOL Cats Images of cats with humorous captions or text overlays

Shifman’s work on Internet memes provides a valuable framework for understanding the defining characteristics of this unique digital phenomenon.5

“Memes and virals can be thought of as two ends of a dynamic spectrum, as a meme often starts as a viral.”

Conclusion

Our society is getting better at meme literacy and web language. Knowing internet culture and digital communication trends is key. The fast-changing online language and social media dynamics need us to keep learning8.

Memes show us how info, ideas, and cultural references move online. They change, get used in new ways, and spread fast. This shows we need to understand memes deeply8.

Learning about meme literacy helps us use the web better. It lets us connect with online groups and keep up with new digital norms. As we dive into internet culture and online language, we get the full picture of our digital lives9.

FAQ

What is an Internet meme?

An Internet meme is a cultural idea that spreads online. It often appears on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Reddit. Memes can be images, videos, GIFs, or other viral content.

What are the key characteristics of Internet memes?

Memes are known for being parodied and spreading fast. They use intertextuality and evolve over time.

How do Internet memes differ from traditional memes?

Internet memes are about quick trends, unlike traditional memes that last longer. They are also more concrete and used for fun, self-expression, and even politics.

How do Internet memes propagate and evolve?

Memes can change or stay the same, evolving in meaning but keeping their structure. This change can happen by chance or on purpose, like parody. As they move through online communities, they take on new meanings specific to that group.

How can we distinguish between memes and virals?

Memes and virals are at opposite ends of a spectrum. Memes start as virals. A meme is a group of digital items with common traits, created with awareness of each other, and spread online. Virals are single units spread by many, seen by millions.

What are the different genres of Internet memes?

Shifman groups memes into three categories. These include documenting real-life moments, manipulating content, and creating meme-based universes.

Why is meme literacy important?

Understanding memes is key as they become a common language online. Not knowing memes can mean missing out on web culture. Learning about memes helps us grasp the language and dynamics of the internet.

Source Links

  1. Internet meme – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_meme
  2. Why Understanding Memes Is Important To Grasping What People Are Really Saying In 2020 – https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidryanpolgar/2020/06/04/why-understanding-memes-and-internet-humor-is-important-to-grasping-what-people-are-really-saying-in-2020/
  3. Entropy and complexity unveil the landscape of memes evolution – Scientific Reports – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-99468-6
  4. 3 MEMETIC EVOLUTION | Jack M. Balkin – https://jackbalkin.yale.edu/3-memetic-evolution
  5. Book Review: Memes in Digital Culture by Limor Shifman – https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofbooks/2014/01/18/book-review-memes-in-digital-culture-by-limor-shifman/
  6. Review of Memes in Digital Culture, by Limor Shifman (MIT Press) – https://improspectives.com/2014/01/06/review-of-memes-in-digital-culture-by-limor-shifman-mit-press/
  7. A Review of Memes in Digital Culture – http://www.digitalhumanities.org/dhqdev/vol/10/2/000243/000243.html
  8. The Evolution of an Accidental Meme – https://medium.com/@CRA1G/the-evolution-of-an-accidental-meme-ddc4e139e0e4
  9. You Can’t Outrun a Foregone Conclusion – https://untitledothello.com/make-something-out-of-your-great-ideas

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