Memes are everywhere. If you’ve spent any time on the internet, you’ve definitely came across them. They’re easily shared on all social media platforms, which is perfect because, let’s face it, our attention spans are shorter than a goldfish’s.
So, what exactly are memes, where did they start, and what are some of the most popular ones ever made? Let’s break it down in a way that’s simple and easy to understand.
All About the History of Memes & Meme Culture
Let’s go back in time to explore the fascinating history of memes! They go way back, even farther than you might think. The term ‘meme’ was first mentioned in 1976 by biologist Richard Dawkins in his book, “The Selfish Gene.” To be 100% correct, Dawkins actually used the word mimeme to describe ideas that spread like organisms, mutating and moving quickly from person to person.
Eventually, the word was condensed to meme, because it was so similar to genes.
But what exactly is meme?
According to Oxford Languages Dictionary meme is: “an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations.”
Back in the early days of the internet, memes were just starting to take shape. In those humble beginnings, people shared memes through emails and message boards, creating a fun way to share info and connect with others. This laid the foundation for what we now call meme culture.
While it’s hard to pin down the exact first meme, early internet days saw classics like the Hampster Dance in 1999, Dancing Baby in 1996, and Godwin’s Law in 1990. These playful bits of internet history show how memes have been part of our online world for quite some time.
Hampster Dance in 1999
Dancing Baby in 1996
Godwin’s Law in 1990
“As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches.”
Thanks to the interactive nature of the internet, memes became the perfect language. Sharing these messages with internet users from all walks of life helped them transform into what we now know as memes. Even if two people will never meet or speak, they can still connect through memes, creating a vibrant meme culture.
Culture and Memes
Meme culture is all about spreading info through memes, and it turns out, memes play a big role in shaping cultural ideas.
Gavin Brown, a Student Fellow at The Berglund Center for Internet Studies Pacific University, looked into how Web Culture uses memes to share and shape ideas.
According to him, memes can be split into two categories: humorist or social commentary. And guess what? The type of memes created is all about the culture behind them. Whether you’re liberal or conservative, young or not-so-young, the culture you’re part of influences the kind of memes you enjoy. It’s like your own experiences become the building blocks for the memes you share.
Who Shares & Pays Attention to Memes?
You might be wondering – who’s on the meme-sharing train? Everybody. From 9GAG to Linkedin you see those daily. That’s why businesses are jumping on the meme bandwagon to connect with this prime demographic.
Marketers and Memes
According to Social Media Examiner, in 2016, 74 percent of marketers were all about visual marketing in their social media game. Social media is where it’s at for sharing content and ideas, and marketers totally get that.
So, what’s their secret weapon for driving their product or service home? Memes! Yup, thanks to meme culture, keeping the audience entertained and informed is non-negotiable. Visual memes build a cool connection between the audience and the business. It’s the real deal!
Social Media Networks Based on Memes
Memes are not just popular, they’re everywhere, even on their own social media networks like 9GAG and MemeBase. And get this – even professional sites like LinkedIn have a cozy spot for memes and meme culture.
LinkedIn, with its 1 billion users sharing content daily, isn’t immune to the meme craze. Memes sneak into LinkedIn to give a little chuckle and, let’s be honest, drive traffic. Anywhere you can share content, you’ll likely find a meme, ready to represent an idea or at the very least, make you smile.
Clasic Memes in History
Now it’s time to check out some of the internet’s all-time famous memes, straight from the researchers of the European Union. They did some digging on Twitter, 4Chan, Gab, and Reddit to cook up this list. So, what are these legendary memes? Well, we’re about to spill the beans. Get ready for a trip down meme memory lane!
1. Trollface
2. Keyboard Cat
3. Sarcastic Willy Wonka
4. Keep Calm and Carry On
Memes are not just a passing trend – they’re here to stay. Why? Because they do what they do best: entertain us, make us laugh, and even help marketers out. The real question isn’t about the future of memes, it’s about where the next batch will pop up.
Think about it. Memes have hit the big leagues, showing up at the Oscars, in political campaigns, and even in kids’ cartoons. As long as people are chatting on the internet, you can bet there’ll be a fresh meme around the corner, ready to represent a whole new idea. That’s a sure thing!
