Can you give an example of a meme?

Answer 1

A "meme" is believed to be a base unit of cultural ideas, anything from the idea of fire, to life after death, to a melody or saying.

It is a concept based on the idea of social evolution, in that memes that are more successful will replicate by being passed on by their hosts (people) by word of mouth, a book, song, religion or invention.

Thus some memes have gone extinct, like the idea of sacrificing live babies to terrible stone idol gods. And others have spread about the globe, such as agriculture, the wearing of clothes (notably the men's European style suit and tie combo which is near universal now) or a representative government.

Legal memes have spread through the medium of television. Some nations in which no search warrants are required have had citizens insist on them, as the citizens watched American TV and believe that's how it is everywhere. Thus the point has been made that memes can spread, even when they are harmful to their "host".

Internet Memes:

Technoviking, All Your Base, Numa Numa (Gary Brolsma), LolCats, Star Wars Kid, This is Sparta Remix... The list goes on and on. Any of these can be found through Google and witnessed first hand.

Any catchphrase or concept that spreads quickly from person to person via the internet, much like an esoteric inside joke.

Answer 2

The belief that the number 13 is unlucky is a meme.