If you're interested in reading more of Geher's insights, feel free to take a look at the topics he covers on his Substack and Psychology Today blog. This "sheds light on the actual term itself-meme kind of sounds like gene!" In the 1980s, Dawkins "defined a meme as a unit of cultural evolution that has the capacity to replicate and spread." Geher pointed out that the replication happens parallel to how a gene works. Professor Geher noted that the term 'meme' itself actually comes from the work of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. I recently saw one that showed a stovetop and simply said, 'You know you’re a real adult when you genuinely have a favorite burner.' At 53, I have to say that I saw this and was like, 'Heck yes!!!' So yes, relatability is key for sure in terms of cultivating the success and longevity of a meme." We fully agree with the professor on this (and many of us probably have a favorite stovetop burner by now, too). Colloquially known as Evil Kermit, the meme is a screenshot from the 2014 film Muppets Most Wanted, in which Kermit the Frog meets his evil twin, Constantine, who wears a Sith Lord -style. Memes that lead people to say, 'Oh, I totally get that-that is ME!' tend to take off. “He is an incredibly recognisable and loveable character, so people feel comfortable using him to signal things about their identity”, Don Caldwell from Know Your Meme told the BBC."Relatability of a meme is also critical. Kermit was created in 1955 by Jim Henson and the character has even appeared in the pop charts and “written” an autobiography, as well as appeared on numerous Muppets shows and meeting US first lady Michelle Obama. (See also: Arthur’s Fist, originating from children’s cartoon, Arthur). The fact he is a childhood favourite from the days of Sesame Street. The key is flexibility and adaptation to current affairs. But why Kermit the Frog? Most memes have a short shelf-life, but Kermit has now been floating around the internet for near three years. Kermit was also a popular choice for My Face When meme, which takes a traditional reaction macro format. (But there is a legitimate debate to be had as to who receives credit and who does not when a meme goes big.) Why Kermit? It was also probably the case, however, that the producers on GMA just didn’t get the meme when referring to #tealizard, or perhaps referred to it wrongly knowing it would result in publicity. It was an awkward appropriation of a meme which many argued had originated on Black Twitter. Back in 2014, Kermit blew up broadband connections thanks to the But That’s None of My Business meme, which saw a screenshot of Kermit sipping tea in a Lipton advert become the perfect visualisation of shade, (or a pointed response to uncouth behaviour).Įmbarrassingly, TV show Good Morning America picked up the meme and referred to it with the hashtag #tealizard, apparently not realising that Kermit the Frog is, um, a frog. Eventually, a Twitter Moments was created about Evil Kermit, solidifying its place in the meme establishment.īut frequent internet watchers will know that this is not the first time Kermit has gone viral. And Instagrammer meme.w0rld even Photoshopped the image into Miss Piggy – Kermit’s on-off love – to get in on the action. There are now multiple Evil Kermit accounts dedicated solely to the dark side. Inner me: Kick it under the fridge /VXSCX4cxiL- Kermit November 21, 2016 Many of the best Evil Kermits relate to relationship problems, where the internet often provides comfort in the form of memes. Evil Kermit has jumped off-platform and is finding its way across Instagram and Snapchat too. The wit and creativity of people is one of the best things the internet showcases, especially when we’re drowning in internet woe. Then the dream is for the meme to take on a life of its own, and grow with original additions. Sudarkina doesn’t mind that folks ripped off her original tweet because she recognises that the only means of a meme gaining currency is to be picked up and shared by humour accounts or Facebook profiles with huge followings to reach a wider audience. But it also turns out that she’s pretty awesome, musing to The Verge: “How’d I even think of a tweet so genius? Am I Einstein? No, I am prettier.” It turns out Anya Sudarkina is a 19-year-old student who is relaxed about her new meme fame, although rather poignantly, she said she didn’t think Evil Kermit would take off because she has “ really low meme confidence”. Me to me: steal him /XuJFCBi7st- anya November 6, 2016
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