A Meme is Worth a Million Words

I've seen incredible technological changes in my lifetime, which gives me a different perspective than the teens I work with now.  I remember when telephones were wired to walls, had rotary dials and you had to go to a pharmacy to pick up your pictures and hoped the 12 or 24 shots you took actually turned out. And got sad when 6 of them were your finger of rays of sunlight that blurred the subject.

I don't really understand how the EA College Football 25 game on the PS5 impacts how my Qb's experience the game I am trying to help coach them in. I get in trouble all the time with my daughters about social media transgressions that leave me bewildered and amused at the same time.

And I feel it is getting harder to communicate. They aren't reading emails, they definitely aren't reading this blog, not my podcast, barely a group me reply (sometimes a thumbs up). Any effective attempt better catch their attention and it better be short and concise. 

This generation of teens fly through more data in one day than I even thought about in a month at that same age.

For example, I think I know what a meme is, but I don't encounter them as often, and they don't resonate with me as powerfully as they do with younger people. I want to better understand the divide between generations, especially around the concept of memes. When did memes start? Where do they come from? And what role do they play in social interaction today?

What is a Meme?

From what I've gathered, a meme is an idea, behavior, style, or piece of content that spreads from person to person within a culture. The term was originally coined by Richard Dawkins (atheist and staunch critic of faith) in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins described memes as cultural units that replicate and evolve, much like genes. In today’s world, when you hear "meme," think of images, videos, or phrases that are widely shared on the internet, often humorously reflecting cultural ideas.

Frankly, I was shocked the actual term was from 1976..... He is the quote:

"We need a name for the new replicator, a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation... I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like 'gene.' ... I abbreviate mimeme to meme. ... Examples of memes are tunes, ideas, catch-phrases, clothes fashions, ways of making pots or of building arches" (Dawkins, The Selfish Gene, 1976).

For younger generations, memes are a form of shorthand communication. They seem to encapsulate humor, shared experiences, and even political or social commentary in a way that's instantly relatable. For example, the "Distracted Boyfriend" meme, where a man looks away from his girlfriend toward another woman, has been used in countless ways to represent distraction or temptation. Younger people seem to find resonance with these because they often see themselves in these scenarios or recognize the humor in the cultural reference.

When Did Memes Start?

Even though the concept of memes predates the internet, the kind of online memes we see today started to take shape in the early 2000s. With the explosion of internet culture, social media, and image-sharing platforms like Reddit, Tumblr, and later Instagram and TikTok, memes have become central to online communication. Some of the earliest internet memes include the "Dancing Baby" (from the late 1990s) and the phrase "All Your Base Are Belong to Us" (from the early 2000s). I personally did not recognise either of these, but both are interesting read on wikipedia. (The top memes in the world right now -Aug 2024- allude to the animated movie- Inside Out.)

Over time, memes have evolved from simple image macros with overlaid text to more complex formats, including videos, GIFs, and remixes. I notice that they often tie into current events, pop culture, or specific communities, making them a way for people to connect and express themselves quickly.

Where Do Memes Come From?

We all have seen memes come from all sorts of places: a funny photo, a relatable phrase, a viral video, or even an event that resonates with a large audience. Some memes seem to emerge organically from social media interactions, while others are created deliberately. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok appear to be breeding grounds for meme creation. Once a meme gains traction, it spreads like wildfire across platforms, with users adding their own twists and interpretations.

The internet moves fast, and I’ve noticed that memes can go viral within hours, but their lifespan can also be short. What’s relevant or funny today may feel outdated or "cringe" tomorrow. This rapid turnover is something I’ve found challenging to keep up with, especially compared to younger people who engage with this meme culture daily.

What Role Do Memes Play in Social Interaction?

From what I've observed, memes play multiple roles in social interaction, especially for younger generations:

Cultural Expression: Memes allow people to express their views, emotions, and identity in a humorous, often non-confrontational way. They can comment on societal issues, current events, or personal experiences.
Community Building: Sharing and creating memes seems to foster a sense of belonging. I see how communities, both online and offline, develop around shared interests, and memes become a way to communicate within those groups. Football memes are coming soon!
Humor and Relief: Memes often serve as comic relief, helping people cope with stress, difficult situations, or simply boredom. They seem to provide a lightweight way to deal with heavy topics.
Social Commentary: I’ve noticed that many memes act like modern political cartoons, offering commentary on current events or social issues in a way that’s accessible to a broad audience. They distill complex ideas into a format that’s easy to understand and share.
Inside Jokes: Memes can also communicate inside jokes, references that only a particular group understands, which can further solidify bonds between people in those groups.

Bridging the Generational Divide

To better understand and connect with younger generations through memes and other forms of digital communication, we can take a few steps:

• Engage with the Content: It’s essential to explore the platforms where memes are born, such as Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or other sites that this group spends the bulk of their time swiping through. Observing how memes are created and shared will provide valuable insight into what resonates with younger people.

• Understand the Context: Memes often reference current events, pop culture, or shared experiences. Staying informed about trends and youth culture will help make these memes more relatable.

• Endure the Humor: Even if a meme doesn’t immediately resonate, it’s important to grasp the humor or creativity behind it. Understanding why something is funny to younger people can help bridge the generational gap, and recognizing what makes people laugh can sometimes reveal where their heart is. We sometimes laugh at things that ultimately repulse us as well. It is sort of a protective mechanism at times. Obviously I can't condone or approve inappropriate humor, but I can try and understand messaging and people better.

• Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask younger people to explain memes or other trends. This can be a great way to start conversations and show genuine interest in their world. Again, this technique varies when it is a parent, a youth worker, a classroom teacher, etc. Ask for wisdom, don't be a creep here is what my children warn me about.

Memes might seem trivial at first glance, but I see that they’re a powerful cultural tool for communication, reflection, and connection. By learning more about meme culture and its significance, I believe I can bridge the generational divide and engage more deeply with the younger generations around me.