The document discusses the definition and social impact of internet memes, describing them as ideas or behaviors spread through the internet, primarily for humorous purposes. Memes can influence cultural behavior and convey both positive and negative messages, including potentially harmful effects like copycat suicides. The evolution of memes is important as they can rapidly disseminate ideas to billions, significantly shaping human thought and society.

1. MEMES
JP
May 2021

2. W-Questions
Discuss
What are Memes?
Where do you find them?
What is their purpose?
How do they work?

4. A Modern
Defintion
An Internet meme, more commonly known simply as
a meme (/miːm/ MEEM), is a type of idea, behavior, or
style (meme) that is spread via the Internet, often
through social media platforms and especially for
humorous purposes. Internet memes are considered a
part of internet culture.
So, a MEME is an IDEA which spreads among people.
Let’s discuss the social impact of MEMEs

5. Memes can spread
good messages
Memes can sow
doubt
Rational meme
Anti-rational meme
Both types of Memes can be present in the
society or an individual at the same time

6. Memes define cultural behaviour
https://images.app.goo.gl/gA58nn5n1b
QmHWiU9
Behaviour creates
memes which generate
compliant behaviour
over many subsequent
generations
MEMEPLEX
In a complex set of memes,
various ideas re-enforce
themselves to a believe system.
Example: „Alt-Right“
„I WANT to believe“
Example „Oktoberfest“
Memes may be
dysfunctional and they
have the power to destroy
individuals and entire
societies
Consider: copycat
suicide is defined as an
emulation of another
suicide
Memes are stored and
evolved knowledge
OR –the most evil Meme ever
Note the perforation: this was an adhesive
sticker created for mass propaganda, so a
social Meme long before the Internet

7. A Classic
Defintion
-mem-, root. -mem- comes from Latin, where it
has the meaning "mind; memory.
A meme exists in a brain form and a behaviour
form, and each is copied to the other.
A substantial proportion of all evolution on our
planet to date has occurred in human brains by
the rapid dissemination of memes.
David Deutsch. The Beginning of Infinity. 2012

8. Why Digital Memes Will Thrive
Billions of people can be
reached by social media
People switch preferences –
from TV to mobile
Our attention span is
shrinking: powerful memes
can spread ideas (good and
bad) quickly