In 1976, an idea that would eventually become a worldwide cultural phenomenon was conceived. Interestingly, the term “meme” was coined by British biologist Richard Dawkins before the invention of the internet, and was defined as “ideas that guide human behavior.” The word was derived from the greek mimema (that which is imitated) which Dawkins shortened to rhyme with the word gene (Mondschein). Initially, it was used in evolutionary biology to compare the passing of genes onto next generations to the passing of memes-- cultural and social behaviors-- onto the next generation (Schrempp). However, today, memes come to represent a more nuanced idea that resonates deeply with younger, especially teenage, generations. Now, memes are more commonly …show more content…
In 2005, Pepe first appeared in the comic “Boy’s Club.” The idea of a zen, socially awkward frog was appealing to many others, and his popularity skyrocketed. Over the years, thousands, or perhaps millions of manipulations of Pepe have been spread over the internet. Pepe even found himself in the tweets of popular figures, such as Nicki Minaj or Katy Perry. However, even if many find a meme appealing or lovable, their immense popularity often leads certain internet groups to claim a meme as their own. On darker forums, websites such as 4chan, users create and distribute “offensive Pepes” to try to make him less appealing to mainstream audiences. 4channers claim that “normies,” groups of people who use social media and follow popular opinion, dangerously overexpose Pepe. These offensive Pepes are often subtle attacks towards minorities, but are usually socially acceptable in informal settings. Subsequently, the casual internet racist is born (“The Rise”). Pepe’s take over by ironic racists was certainly detrimental to internet culture; however, the greatest damage done was when white nationalists groups saw the potential in this ever-relaxed frog, and claimed him as one of their own (see fig. 1). In fact, nowadays Pepe is officially known as a symbol of Nazism (“Pepe The Frog’s”). When the ADL, the Anti Defamation League, added Pepe to their list of hate symbols in 2016, Nazis celebrated. Their ownership of this …show more content…
In fact, Trump has stated several times that he wants to build a wall along the US-Mexico border, which Mexico will pay for. His assertions are not taken very seriously by many, yet his unrealistic idea has been revolutionized by the internet. Internet users have made songs, gifs, and other forms of memes using his famous catchphrases. He has, in essence, become a meme. Many of his supporters have become so devoted to maintaining and spreading his “memefied” character, that they do not care about his promises and would rather create and spread their own persona of Trump. They have capitalized on memes, therefore succeeding in bringing a man whose campaign many saw as just a joke into office (“The Dark