this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2025
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memes

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A collection of some classic Lemmy memes for your enjoyment

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[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

What is the definition of a meme?

[–] ParadoxSeahorse@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Devoting oneself to one’s art, impoverishing oneself in the pursuit of Truth, or welcoming martyrdom for one’s cause do not, it seems, represent behaviours which are obviously beneficial to the individual of for the spread of that individual’s genes. So, given that this kind of behaviour clearly exists, and is widespread, what is reaping the benefit? Dawkins’ somewhat surprising answer was the ideas themselves. Ideas are clearly in competition with each other so perhaps there’s a selection process going on, analogous to natural selection, through which some ideas prove successful and spread whilst others die out. He concluded that there was such a selection process and, to emphasise the parallel to natural selection, he coined the term “meme” which come from an ancient Greek root, “mimeme”, meaning imitated thing.

What’s in a Meme?

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

That was the original use, but what is it in the modern Internet context?

[–] ParadoxSeahorse@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

meme noun [C] (ON INTERNET)

an idea, joke, image, video, etc. that is spread very quickly on the internet

  • Take a look at the top ten internet memes for this past year.
[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago (2 children)

So, would you agree that viral videos are memes? I wouldn't.

[–] Alaknar@sopuli.xyz 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yes, it's literally in the definition. Even ideas are memes.

A meme is to culture what a gene is to biology.

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

So, you completely accept that definition of a meme?

[–] Alaknar@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What are you talking about, my dude?

The definition of the term "meme" was given by Richard Dawkins in 1972. That's what the word means.

What's your point?

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Definitions change. Dawkins didn't define an "internet meme". People who were spreading certain kinds of viral content on the Internet found Dawkins' word and adapted it to match the things they were doing.

[–] Alaknar@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

An "Internet meme" falls smack in the middle of Dawkins' definition. I really have no clue what your point is.

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Smack in the middle, but the definition is narrower.

[–] Alaknar@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 days ago

Elaborate?

[–] ExtremeUnicorn@feddit.org 0 points 3 days ago

I wouldn't say that viral videos are memes, they are viral videos. But their content can become a meme, which could be a quote from it or some kind of content shown in a different context.

E.g. the Area51 Naruto runner is a meme, but the report where he appears is not.