User:RachelStaico/sandbox

Internet memes, more commonly known as simply “memes” (/miːm/ MEEM) are pieces of media, traditionally combining image macros with a concept or catchphrase, which are spread from person to person via the Internet. These traditional types of memes can be very simplistic, often featuring a single word or phrase. In some cases these words and phrases contain intentional misspellings (such as locates) or incorrect grammar (such as doge and "All your base are belong to us"). However, in more recent times, memes have evolved from simple image macros with text to more elaborate things such as challenges, GIFs and viral sensations. Their evolution has made it uncommon to go anywhere nowadays without seeing some form of meme.

Memes are often seen as mimicry or for humorous purposes as they take can often be used to poke fun at current events, political candidates and to take one side over another in two sided arguments. An example of this is sort of skewed commentary style of memes can be found whilst investigating the recent death of financier Jeffery Epstein. As a way to show their distaste with the ruling of Epstein’s death as a suicide, many people took to social media sites such at Twitter to spread the viral ‘Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself’ meme. This meme is an example of the adaptability of meme culture in today’s day and age. It also shows the power of meme could carry if used in a political campaign or to persuade someone one way or the other.

On the other hand, not all memes begin on the basis of controversy. Internet memes often can be derived from various existing online subgroups. Memes which pertain to a specific subgroup sometimes require an additional base knowledge of that internet culture to understand. Examples of these types of memes are ones which stem from the communities and fan bases centered around television shows, movies, video games, books etc.

Memes are also spread in the form of viral sensations and challenges. These types of challenges have become increasingly more popular over the years. Since the start of platforms like YouTube, challenges and viral have made a rise in popularity. From the earlier pioneering trends like the Cinnamon Challenge, planking, and the Harlem Shake to the timeless Try Not to Laugh Challenge, a new viral meme seems to appear every second.

GIFs are a form of internet meme that are often used to enhance our emotional responses to situations most often via text conversations. Since GIFs are often used for reactionary purposes rather than comedic or commentary purposes, they are more easily understood by the general public without requiring prior knowledge of fan bases or online communities. GIFs are one of the most widely used forms of memes out there today. It does not take very much to send one especially with most new smartphones having an added GIF keyboard to make finding the perfect GIF for your conversation easier.