Meme Monday

On the Jukebox: "Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy" by Stinky Wizzletreats
Quote: "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as, uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uhhh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for us." ~ Caitlin Upton, Miss Teen South Carolina 2007
Flair: Meme Dream Theme

Think fast! What do Chuck Norris, Bill Gates, and the Star Wars Kid have in common with the Hamster Dance? No idea? What about Evil Bert, Jib Jab, and Cake Wrecks? Well, in case you’ve been living in a cave or under a rock (I’m talking to you Osama), you are probably aware to some extent of this little thing called the Internet and its power to disseminate information at the speed of light. How often have you been asked to forward an email chain letter for Mr. Gates or received the email filled with the world’s cutest puppy pictures? Ever notice how you get the same email or hyperlink within a few days of each other? Is it a plot to influence the way America feels about politics, shopping, and fabric softener? You’d better believe it!

My inbox is constantly under siege by people who want me to take easily manipulated quizzes on what famous actress I am most like, which fruit represents me, and other weird personality indicators. Oh and don’t get me started on the glurge! I detest glurge for its ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ wannabe preachy triteness. Double bleh! As a Facebook user I get tagged on a regular basis to fill out forms on what’s on my MP3 player, what I ate for breakfast, or who I last texted - you know I’ve been replaced by an alien clone if I ever text anyone.

All these things are a form of memes (rhymes with dreams.) I’ve decided to dedicate Mondays to all thing Meme-related. I’ll post my creative answers to popular meme type quizzes and links to ridiculous but funny videos such as “Charlie Bit Me” or photos on “Totally Looks Like” and such. By now you probably know what a fan of Wikipedia I am so let me just give credit where it’s due. Here’s what they have to say about Internet Memes.

“The term Internet meme is a phrase used to describe a catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the Internet, much like an esoteric inside joke. At its most basic, an Internet meme is simply the propagation of a digital file or hyperlink from one person to others using methods available through the Internet (for example, email, blogs, social networking sites, instant messaging, etc). The content often consists of a saying or joke, a rumor, an altered or original image, a complete website, a video clip or animation, or an offbeat news story, among many other possibilities. An Internet meme may stay the same or may evolve over time, by chance or through commentary, imitations, and parody versions, or even by collecting news accounts about itself. Internet memes have a tendency to evolve and spread extremely quickly, sometimes going in and out of popularity in just days. They are spread organically, voluntarily, and peer to peer, rather than by compulsion, predetermined path, or completely automated means.

The term may refer to the content that spreads from user to user, the idea behind the content, or the phenomenon of its spread. Internet memes have been seen as a form of art. There exist websites that collect and popularize Internet memes as well as sites devoted to the spread of specific Internet memes. The term is generally not applied to content or web services that are seen as legitimate, useful, and non-faddish, or that spread through organized publishing and distribution channels. Thus, serious news stories, videogames, web services, songs by established musical groups, or the like are usually not called Internet memes. Often Internet memes include references to current items of pop culture, such as popular movies, celebrities or news. Some examples of this are Examples include Rickrolling, lolcats, Keyboard Cat, "All your base are belong to us", the Chuck Norris facts, or the "Sparta!" meme, quoting (or 'referencing') popular lines.”

Just think now you have a reason to look forward to Mondays but I caution you not to let it interfere with your work. Check out my blog on your breaks and be sure to send me your suggestions for Meme Mondays. Oh and one more thing, “Leave Britney alone!”