Meme Research

30,902 total conversations in 4,546 threads

Should we cover irl memes?

Last posted Jan 05, 2010 at 05:50AM EST. Added Jan 02, 2010 at 10:30PM EST
15 posts from 11 users

Were running out of internet memes,and yet there are so many irl ones.
Discuss,peasants.

no, we should make a separate section or even another website….

No. Look at the top of this page. It says "The Rocketboom Institute for Internet Studies". Also, there will always be more internet memes. By no means are we "running out" of them.

Like our glossary says, a meme is "a theoretical unit of culture, representing information spreading organically from one mind to another". That means, that a lot of memes, especially IRL ones, would be too broad and too countless to document. That would mean we'd have to include ideas such as religion, politics, company products, TV shows, songs, etc. I don't think anybody would be happy about creating articles for these. It's too complicated.

True, some may be worthy such as "Che Guevara" and several catchphrases such as "That's What She Said" and "Yo Momma Jokes" but then again, where would we have to draw the line if we did accept IRL memes? Again, I say that it's too complicated.

So, I say nay.

I can assure you we are not running out of Internet memes. We just have to search harder or to stumble upon them by pure luck.

Last edited Jan 02, 2010 at 11:08PM EST

I still don't know why my old article https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/theyre-taking-the-hobbits-to-isengard is not a meme. It has memic qualities.

I think Mr. Fuck is right.

@Christopher

Now, now. Watch your language. Also, don't make fun of Mr. F who I personally think is apparently right. "They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard" does seem memetic.

I guess, back then, our knowledge in terms of critiquing what an internet meme is was not as great as it is now (though we still have much to learn).

I'm requesting for that article to be un-deadpooled and researched further, please. Much obliged.