dictionary definition: meme (noun)
1. an element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another by imitation or other non-genetic means.
2. an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by Internet users, often with slight variations.
I wrote some background about Indy Memes in a post Indy Memes: True or False. I included an example of a false meme. Good memes are definitely a good thing… they spread accurate information in a way that’s easy to understand and share. False memes spread disinformation and sometimes fake news, even if they are genuinely meant to persuade people to support Scottish independence.
Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate, and respond to selective pressures. One selective pressure is not ‘liking’ or sharing false memes on social media. Another pressure is debunking them.
I voice my opposition to false themes by explaining why they’re inaccurate and unhelpful. But I am also interested in why people post them on social media and how they get under our skin in the way they do. And they certainly do have an impact because they are shared round and round social media. Often the same meme re-eappearing every few weeks or so.
This page follows on from my original post and shows up some Indy memes, asks if they are true, and wonders how they impact on us.
Click on the images to find out more....
