What is a meme & how does it work?

A meme is typically a photo or video, although sometimes it can be a block of text. When a meme resonates with many people, it's spread via social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, texting, and more. The more a meme is spread, the greater the cultural influence it has.

Are memes funny?

Popular memes are often funny, ranging from silly humor to niche humor to more pointed political humor. Kids, parenting, pets, and everyday life offer endless meme material. Often one funny image spurs a host of memes, as with this determined-looking toddler clenching his hand into a fist.

When was meme first used?

In fact, author Richard Dawkins first used the word in his 1976 work The Selfish Gene. The book looked at evolution and used meme to describe an idea or behavior that spreads across people in a culture. When someone says meme nowadays, they're probably referring to an internet meme.

Why do memes spread so quickly?

A piece of media, often humorous, that spreads rapidly through the internet. With the instant communication that services like Twitter, Reddit, and similar allow us to perform online, it's no wonder that memes spread so quickly. Often, memes go through small alterations like the game of telephone. Sometimes, memes even beget new memes.