We are continuing from here:
https://mirror.xyz/lght.eth/CFNNJmVmVGFulU1qb07q5zAYevIC2bo5Te4_mgZmWr0
Part 1 was an introduction to the contextual sphere through which we will try to unpack meme. The brief synopsis of that essay is:
meme comes from Richard Dawkin’s The Selfish Gene as a corollary to gene but in a mental context as opposed to a biological one
the term meme is multi-faceted
memes transfer data (information, emotions, etc)
Cultural Definitions
The next step is to look at this term as if we were trying to place it into a dictionary.
meme (n.)
![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/af66216fa58e001d0eba4ed70aacef8b.png)
The foundation of a meme’s noun capability is in its transfer dynamics. The meme becomes functional the moment another individual understands the context within it.
Social media is a birthing ground for contextual relevance. Why type out repetitive phrases when you could send colorful images that emotes the same sentiment with more nuance and flavor?
Examples:
![null contextual communication devices](https://images.mirror-media.xyz/publication-images/frxP2kx_nOAWXzrKSh7gl.png?height=2237&width=3977)
In this segment of defining the term, the images themselves are memes. They bring context to another individual without word-language or speech.
meme (v.)
![null verbish](https://images.mirror-media.xyz/publication-images/NUC2s1LZTLccQ5vVSs9R9.png?height=2237&width=3977)
The ‘active’ layer of meme brings a level of sovereignty to the individual and hive-mind. ‘To meme’ is to accomplish the transferring mechanic of the contextual object from one individual to the next.
Examples:
![null the act of meme-ing](https://images.mirror-media.xyz/publication-images/Gr98QRGXc_j5y5GSsQ6oT.png?height=2237&width=3977)
Here meme is an action on top of the noun definition of meme. It only occurs after the initial definition is met.
To spread an object that has zero contextual relevance is like to talking to pavement in Swahili. To meme (v.) is to amplify an objects mindshare in another individual.
The example above is the act of meme-ing $pepe coin into the mindshare of fellow Twitter users. The object (meme (n.)) is $pepe. The action (meme(v.)) is the spreading of the object through various patterns, word-language, etc.
To be continued…
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