How do memes start?

[Joseph41]

I'm shit both at and with memes lol, but they interest me from a social side.

How does a meme become a meme? From my experience, memes pretty much explode overnight. I usually think, "... why am I seeing this every thirty seconds?", because researching it and working out what it means. But why do some memes take off, and others not?

Please enlighten me.

[neverlookback]

I reckon someone finds something funny and then they post it online, and then if it's funny, it becomes a meme, and if it's not, then it just gets unnoticed?

[heids]

I reckon someone finds something funny and then they post it online, and then if it's funny, it becomes a meme, and if it's not, then it just gets unnoticed?

Definitely much more to it than just the "stickiness" (how funny or memorable or simple it is).

The people involved in sharing it are important: people with a much larger than average social network, or persuasive people, or celebrities.  And a lot of it is just pure chance.  Many memes have the potential to go viral but just don't happen to meet the right people's eye at the right time to hit the necessary tipping point of virality.

[elysepopplewell]

Susie and I studied Digital Literacies at University. Susie is currently studying Digital Literacy. In other words, Susie is currently studying memes.

Ping sudodds.

[Maraos]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sANg0NyvVnk

[keltingmeith]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sANg0NyvVnk

Dammit, don't bring scishow into this, it just makes it harder to stop procrastinating. But also I raise you this from the main channel.

[sudodds]

Susie and I studied Digital Literacies at University. Susie is currently studying Digital Literacy. In other words, Susie is currently studying memes.

Ping sudodds.

hello memes are a form of grassroots communication that are a more accurate representation of zeitgeist than almost any other medium, because they are so inclusive and flexible. Like anyone can start a meme (the meme might not go viral, but it is still a meme), contribute to a meme, further a meme. One meme can relate to multiple situations - it's truely incredible. Also definitely indicative of a shift towards more visual forms of communication (the visual turn). The political power of memes is surprising - like not only can memes be used to spread political messages, or engage within the political discourse (re. How Meme Culture is Getting Teens Into Marxism), but now politicians/public figures/bodies are using memes to reach a wider audience, encourage the younger generations to support them, and appear more relatable. The NSW Police Force facebook page is a good example of this.

Dunno if I answered the question but whatevs. Memes are amazing, wonderful, fascinating things.

[elysepopplewell]

hello memes are a form of grassroots communication that are a more accurate representation of zeitgeist than almost any other medium, because they are so inclusive and flexible. Like anyone can start a meme (the meme might not go viral, but it is still a meme), contribute to a meme, further a meme. One meme can relate to multiple situations - it's truely incredible. Also definitely indicative of a shift towards more visual forms of communication (the visual turn). The political power of memes is surprising - like not only can memes be used to spread political messages, or engage within the political discourse (re. How Meme Culture is Getting Teens Into Marxism), but now politicians/public figures/bodies are using memes to reach a wider audience, encourage the younger generations to support them, and appear more relatable. The NSW Police Force facebook page is a good example of this.

Dunno if I answered the question but whatevs. Memes are amazing, wonderful, fascinating things.

Thank you.

[Calebark]

Memes don't 'start'. They are born fully formed from the head of the lightning god, Zeus.

[Daniyahasan]

Susie and I studied Digital Literacies at University. Susie is currently studying Digital Literacy. In other words, Susie is currently studying memes.

Ping sudodds.

I think i just found out what i want to do with my life......