The term meme was coined by the British biologist Richard Dawkins in 1976, starting from the word gene (which translates as “Gene”) and of mum (something that is imitated). A Greek word the latter that, in turn, comes from the term “mimeisthai”, which can be translated as “the action of imitating”, and from the noun “mimes”, which is synonymous with “imitator”.
Exactly it must be stated that the first time that Dawkins used the aforementioned term publicly was in his work entitled “The Selfish Gene”.
The first meaning mentioned by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) in your dictionary refers to a behavioral or cultural characteristic that spreads from generation to generation or from individual to individual.
Specifically, it is established within the studies of the aforementioned scientist that memes have a series of significant characteristics, there are different phases such as fertility, longevity and also what is called fidelity in replication.
The most common use of concept, anyway, it is linked to a cartoon or joke that is shared on the Internet. It is a video, a photograph, a drawing or an animation that tends to distort reality with mocking intent.
Memes convey ideas or reflect situations with the aim of causing humor. These contents usually reach a great diffusion thanks to the transmission made by the Internet users themselves in the social networks.
In recent years, memes have been constituted as a new expression vehicle. Many people summarize thoughts or they make their emotions public through these kinds of images.
When making a meme that can go viral, you have to take into account a series of keys or recommendations such as these:
-You have to develop your imagination and creativity to the maximum.
-It is a great success to bet on elements or situations in real life with which anyone can feel identified.
-Do not use bad words or tacos. You have to use a language appropriate to the topic you are addressing and that is easily understood by everyone.
-It is important to take into account the trends that currently exist in social networks.
-The texts should be as short as possible.
-Irony is one of the tools that should be used to shape a meme.
Currently the most successful memes are those related to labor issues, education issues and also those that refer to complaints of a political or social nature.
The photo of an angry boy, a girl with a surprised gesture and a man inviting to think, for example, are very popular memes. When faced with one of these memes, the receiver soon decodes the message and understand what the issuer wanted to transmit.
Memes are also often used to taunting a sports rival. The supporters of a team that achieves a victory soon produce and spread memes with the intention of annoying the supporters of the defeated team. This practice is part of folklore in many countries.
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