this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2025
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memes

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A collection of some classic Lemmy memes for your enjoyment

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (23 children)

Anything humans spread around and share other than our DNA is a meme. The definition of a meme is "non-genetic information shared by any means."

[–] unknown1234_5@kbin.earth 2 points 3 months ago (12 children)

the word meme gained a second definition on the internet, which is similar to the first but focused on specifically things intended to be funny. because context is a part of language whether you like it or not, that meaning is the one that is being used any time you see the word on the internet unless otherwise specified or unless the context in which you're seeing it is one where the other is more appropriate (like a discussion about linguistics or the spread of ideas).

[–] CompassRed@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I would argue that memes aren't necessarily meant to be funny. I think the most important component of a meme is its composition, which is usually a square image with optional text. But yeah, I completely agree with your broader points.

[–] Hawke@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

usually a square image with optional text.

Thats an image macro which is a specific type of Internet meme. Although I’ve never heard of someone suggesting they must be square; that seems very odd. Are the meme police checking height:width ratios now?

[–] CompassRed@discuss.tchncs.de -1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

There is no meme police and nobody uses the term image macro.

[–] unknown1234_5@kbin.earth 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

there are also memes (meaning the kind intended to be funny on the internet in this case) which dont use images at all but are just a recurring reference or something like that. it is largely the same idea as the original meaning of the term but on the internet it generally refers to things that are intended to be funny (in recent years, usually through self-reference as a result of algorithm-based social media).

[–] CompassRed@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 months ago

That's fair, but I was thinking in the context of meme communities like this one in which nearly all of the posts are images.

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