What is a meme & how does it work?

A meme is typically a photo or video, although sometimes it can be a block of text. When a meme resonates with many people, it's spread via social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, texting, and more. The more a meme is spread, the greater the cultural influence it has.

How did Dawkins define a meme?

Dawkins defined a meme as a cultural unit that spreads from person to person, much as genes spread through reproduction. The term meme itself comes from the Greek word mimema, which means “that which is imitated.” Dawkins’s book shows that examples of memes go back centuries.

What is a meme & how does it spread?

While he had no idea of its future internet-related context, he used the word meme to describe an idea, behavior, or style that rapidly spreads from person to person in a culture. In his book, he likened a meme's spread to that of a virus.

Why are memes so popular?

Memes are widely known as conduits for cultural conversations and an opportunity to participate in internet trends (trust us, The Times is on it ). Even if you’re not extremely online, you’ve probably participated in a meme trend, knowingly or not. Where does the word “meme” come from?