So let’s talk about it. What are memes? 

Oxford dictionary defines a meme as 

“an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations”

This definition gives a good general sense of what constitutes a meme, but, memes span many contexts and a bit more can be said. 

Platforms for meme sharing have evolved over the years. Today’s social media, an almost unknowable intricacy of algorithmic process, has accelerated the creation and sharing of memes. 

It is easier than ever to hit record, clip and cut imagery, and overlay text to mimic and imitate the latest viral sensation or better yet cater to one of the infinite sub genres of memes with your own viral hit. 

Politics, social movements, sports, finance, tv, books, and even niche 2000s girlhood based meme cliques exist. (A current nostalgic favourite). 

I say cliques and not groups or communities because unlike other areas on the internet exclusivity is often the name of the game. Memes are highly contextual, requiring their audiences to have some fluency in their topic range. Without it memes can fall flat or become misinterpreted. 

Memes are foundational to internet culture and foster rapid cultural exchange. Like other art forms, the creation and sharing of memes is a form of self expression and acts as a bid for community engagement. 

Because of their rapid nature memes offer a near constant representation of social and clique consciousness.(aka pop/sub/counter culture groups) These are a few reasons  memes have become an area of academic research. 

Social scientists analyzing memes and their associated culture. 

Marketing experts engaging with trend cycles popularized by memes.  

Memes are making moves. 

They can be more than silly internet jokes, being both reflective of and participatory in our constantly evolving culture. 

One might say… memes are a form of art. 

lol.