What Are Memes?

The Internet has turned into a wonderful breeding ground for the proliferation of cultural trends which then gain momentum and become viral in nature. This is why the Internet has been a rich source of inspiration for millions of cultural trends. Some Internet users have even taken to making their own versions of Internet Memes, such as search engine optimized images, animated GIFs, music videos, and photographs.

One of the most common forms of Internet Memes are those which are considered to be "parody". When this is done properly, a cultural trend can reach millions of people within a short period of time. However, cultural trends which are considered to be "parody" are very different from "personalty" in the sense that they are not intended to offend any particular group or category of people. Instead, the aim of an Internet Meme is to poke fun at a situation, product, idea, or idea of another. By creating a cultural trend based on the image of a character from a popular book, song, or movie, Internet users can express themselves in a unique way.

Some people argue that the Internet has destroyed meaningful communication and instead creates a more passive and impersonal type of communication through Internet Memes. While it is hard to deny the fact that Internet Memes have a significant impact on the culture, it is also true that the way in which the trend is actually received can have a strong effect on the level of communication. If a joke that was posted on a website receives a large amount of attention from a number of users, then that type of reaction is considered a positive one, i.e., a cultural trend. On the other hand, if the same joke receives only a few replies, then the reaction is considered to be a negative one, and the individual who posted the joke may feel that their perspective is being taken into account when the Internet user responds negatively. In other words, Internet users may feel that they have "stolen" the spotlight in a cultural situation through the use of a popular Internet Meme.

The Internet is an extremely vast and expansive space, filled with millions of different possibilities. The anonymity of the Internet makes it easy for anyone to create a persona and take on a life of their own through the use of Internet Memes. It is also a popular avenue for many people to express themselves through creative means, and this type of self-expression has many common characteristics with other forms of art. However, unlike paintings and sculptures, Internet Memes has become the avenue for many people to advertise products, services, and themselves. One of the most common characteristics of Internet Memes is the fact that the creator of a particular Meme can literally choose whoever they wish to feature on their Meme, and that the same person does not necessarily have to have a great deal of knowledge of the medium in order to create a highly successful Meme.

The creator of a Meme is not necessarily in a position to know what kind of content will appeal to many people, as they are not involved in the initial creation process. However, some Internet users do enjoy the ability to make their own individualized Memes through the use of visual applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or even WordPress. Memes include cultural conversations that take place throughout various communities around the world, from within everyday casual conversation to larger social commentary. Many people have turned Internet Memes into popular forms of self-expression by making their own personal statements about specific issues, connecting them to their personal experiences, and sharing them with millions of people all over the world.

Selfies are one of the most popular forms of Internet Memes, as individuals can create unique images of themselves to share with others. In this way, a single person can literally change the way they look just by changing one small aspect of their image. This is not to say that a Selfie is an egoistic representation; rather, the very nature of a Selfie is simply one of sharing one's self with others. When a Selfie is created, it is not meant to be viewed, but merely to be seen. Therefore, a Selfie can be a kind of cultural vandalism, for a particular culture to deface another culture, just by making a single image that speaks to multiple demographics.

However, in the context of this study, it seems that the rise of these types of Memes is not necessarily due to a desire to share, promote, or advertise. Rather, it seems to be a backlash against the perceived "elite" status of certain forms of culture in a world where there is so much Internet activity taking place. As such, the current study of cultural change through Internet activity is one that looks at the evolution of cultural practices through the lenses of Redditors, Facebook users, and GIF lovers. As such, it becomes clear that the creation of Memes may not always be about self indulgent efforts to be more popular, but rather a means for cultural transmission. Ultimately, there are many interpretations for the rise of Memes, but the bottom line is that it is emerging phenomena that will continue to play a major role in societal communication for years to come.