There are a few academic groups, like the Bard Meme Lab (https://memelab.bard.edu/ https://memelab.bard.edu/) that are still interested in the original meaning

There are a few academic groups, like the Bard Meme Lab (https://memelab.bard.edu/ https://memelab.bard.edu/) that are still interested in the original meaning of the meme, but also noting its current incarnation and usage, and doing research within that frame