2 ms·

"Internet meme" is just the current label and form for "Simple, appealing, opinionated messaging". It's always been a thing.

• consumer451 2y ago
  Yes, but the reason that I included the word "internet" was to indicate the virus-like reach a single person can have, and now just in hours.
  • quesera 2y ago
    True, in the past your compelling messaging would be filtered by multiple layers of delivery and effort, reinterpretation, etc. Now your message can be worldwide before the first reader has time to form an thoughtful opinion.
  • slimsag 2y ago
    'can have' is doing a lot of lifting. If me or you want to make a meme go viral, we likely cant do that, as proven by the overwhelming amount of people who try to make things go viral on a daily basis and fail to do so. Overwhelmingly, most people do not have that power. It needs to be such a simple, obvious message that resonates with everyone to a point they themselves are encouraged to share it. It needs to pass the over-the-shoulder test, where someone simply glancing over your shoulder and seeing it can understand what it is and get value from it. The author's intent doesn't matter, really, they don't have control over it at all. It is simply stumbling by accident into a message that /already/ resonates with a vast majority of people. Which is why it tends to be extraordinarily simple things like a 'cute/funny dog', a distracted boyfriend, a pop culture reference, etc.