What is a meme & how does it work?

A meme is a concept or idea that spreads virally from person to person. The most popular memes are usually found on the internet and may be images, videos, phrases, or hashtags. They often convey a humorous point of view, cultural reference, or satirical message. How does a meme work?

How did Dawkins define a meme?

Dawkins defined a meme as a cultural unit that spreads from person to person, much as genes spread through reproduction. The term meme itself comes from the Greek word mimema, which means “that which is imitated.” Dawkins’s book shows that examples of memes go back centuries.

How do you pronounce a meme?

Now, you might be wondering how to pronounce the word meme. The correct pronunciation is meem (rhymes with dream). The modern-day definition of a meme is a humorous image, video, piece of text, or GIF that is spread across the internet, typically on social media, and often with slight variations.

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.