The History of Internet Memes A meme is

The History of Internet Memes

• A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. • An Internet meme is a concept that spreads from person to person via the Internet. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? feature=player_embedded&v=q. Itugh-f. Fgg What is a Meme?

• • • Video Clips Images Websites Phrases Parodies Jokes https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=kf. Vsf. OSb. JY 0 Internet Memes Can Be…

The Dancing Baby (1996) • Released as a product sample source file with software called Character Studio • Made it’s way into the mainstream via websites and television (Ally Mc. Beal) Early Internet Memes

Hampster Dance • Features rows of dancing hampter GIFs • Became popular in the late 90 s via email, blogs and pranks Early Internet Memes

LOLCATS • http: //www. lolcats. com/ Popular Memes

“Thriller” http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=h. Mnk 7 lh 9 M 3 o Popular Memes

Rick Rolling • a bait-and-switch practice that involves providing a web link supposedly relevant to the topic at hand, but actually re-directs the viewer to Rick Astley’s 1987 hit single “Never Gonna Give You Up. ” • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=d. Qw 4 w 9 Wg. Xc. Q Popular Memes

• Star Wars Kid • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=HPPj 6 vi. IBm. U Popular Memes

• Advertisers often use Internet memes as a form of viral marketing or guerrilla marketing to create buzz for a product or service. Uses of Internet Memes

Nope! Chuck Testa • “Official Ojai Valley Taxidermy TV Commerical” • http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? feature=player_em bedded&v=LJP 1 Dph. OWP s • http: //www. viddler. com/v/ 80 d 38 c 81 Internet Meme Marketing