Memes: The DNA of the Soul

Memes: The DNA of the Soul

Introduction:

We live in the 21st century, which has been without a doubt, arguably the best time in the history of civilization to be alive. From the struggles of prehistoric survival to the harsh realities of the Middle Ages, earlier eras offered little of the comfort and longevity we enjoy today. Most people born in those times did not make it over 30. Now people are easily touching their 80s and 90s and living what those old generations would call a fulfilling life. However, with changes in time, the environment and culture of the world also change. But something that has remained a constant for over half a century in the rapid change in society have been memes.

LET’S REWIND A LITTLE:

The very first instance of an ‘internet’ meme I could find was the use of the smiley emoticon or ‘:-)' in 1982, though the word meme was coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976. Most people reading this right now have seen at least one meme in their lives. May it be while scrolling X (formerly Twitter), getting shared one by a friend or family member or creating one on your own. Some of you may know that the title of this article is a meme itself. Memes may seem to the average person to be just comedic or ironic posts on the internet to ease some weight off your head while scrolling but the cultural significance of memes is profound. Take an example of the US elections, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had elaborate meme campaigns going on the sidelines, mostly on X. The average millennial might think this a waste of time but they don’t understand that the next generation is not inherently interested in boring rallies and speeches, they need something to get their attention, generate interest in the topic, and add something laughable in the dull and monotonous process. It’s almost comical that from how many sources memes can be generated. Video games and pop culture are a given already but even commercials, obscure trends, and even people can become viral memes with millions of views. Many experts believe that memes will be the new form of promotion and propaganda in the modern world. Memes are an excellent form of social commentary through satirical or humorous takes on current events and social issues. The younger generation has the attention span of a goldfish. They can’t be forced to read the news even if their life depended on it. It has been proven that things we have an interest in are better stored by our brain, so if information is provided to us as memes our brain retains it.

Conclusion:

In short, memes are bound to be a pivotal communication method for generations to come and understanding and harnessing the power of memes and meme culture is a must in the rapidly changing environment of the 21st Century. So, if you want to be hip with the youth, you need to do your research in Family Guy and whatever Skibidi Toilet is. Honestly even I am disappointed in Gen Alpha for the last one, but the same can be said for Gen Z by the Millennials, maybe all the way to prehistoric man. In a world increasingly shaped by digital interactions, memes have transcended mere entertainment to become powerful tools of communication, commentary, and connection.