Buzz
It was Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist who’s known for being a figure of controversy, who first introduced the concept of a 'meme' in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene. He proposed that just as genes replicate and evolve biologically, memes do the same within culture. In essence, a meme is an idea that evolves as it spreads. And, if we want to get a bit philosophical, consider how the idea of a meme itself (yes, that's a meme) has evolved. Nowadays, when most people mention 'memes,' they’re typically referring to funny images circulating online.
And they’re not entirely wrong.
Online memes, much like digital genes, carry information from one person to another, continuously morphing as they spread. But instead of transmitting the genetic code for life, these memes carry images of doges, Shreks, and Sean Beans. Sometimes, memes—whether images, hashtags, challenges, or even non-digital ones—have made a significant cultural impact. Here are ten such memes, so influential that they altered the course of history.
10. Pooh Bear
In China, the meme—specifically any image of Pooh Bear—faces heavy censorship. The country even went as far as to ban the release of the movie 'Christopher Robin' just to prevent showcasing any image of the lovable bear. Why? It all started in 2013, when President Xi Jinping visited the U.S., and internet users compared him and President Barack Obama to Pooh Bear and Tigger.
Xi was not a fan of these comparisons and viewed the meme as an insult to his dignity and position. His sensitivity stems from his ambitions to be the central figure of both a personality cult and a strict authoritarian regime. As a result, this meme—a simple image of a cartoon bear—has transformed into a symbol of both governmental corruption and resistance in China.
9. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
In 2014, a challenge trend took off online, evolving from a collection of unrelated charitable 'cold-water challenges' into a worldwide sensation aimed at raising funds for ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease). The movement was wildly successful, raising over $220 million in just that year.
The trend—where one person challenges another to participate—has made several comebacks over the years. While none have reached the success of 2014, each revival has continued to generate increasing amounts of money for ALS-related causes. This meme has proven its remarkable ability to generate grassroots funding and shows the potential for memes to impact financial efforts moving forward.
8. Radium
Today, even those with limited scientific knowledge are aware that radiation can be harmful. However, in the early 20th century, newly discovered radioactive elements like radium were believed to be safe—if not beneficial. In fact, radium was so popular that it became a trend.
Radium, in particular, found its way into all kinds of products, from cosmetics to timepieces, clothing, and medicine. Between its reputation as a miracle cure and its unique glowing properties, radium became synonymous with quality during its peak. The word 'radium' appeared everywhere—on product labels, in ads, on posters, and more. It became a viral buzzword that brought the perils of radioactivity into the global spotlight.
7. Memento Mori
While it’s difficult to determine the most influential and far-reaching meme today, in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, the clear winner was the memento mori. The term 'memento mori,' meaning 'remember that you will die,' became a recurring theme in countless artworks over centuries—and it continues to appear in art today.
The core of the memento mori meme is straightforward: incorporate an object in your artwork to remind the audience that death is inevitable. This was commonly achieved through timepieces set to a near-death hour, a dying living creature, or simply a skull.
Even if you limit this meme to just skulls, you’ll find countless examples in paintings. Some skulls are hidden—perhaps a small one tucked on a shelf amongst everyday items—while others take center stage, such as in Holbein’s famous painting, 'The Ambassadors.' It’s safe to say that no Renaissance noble ever overlooked the reminder that death was always looming.
6. Graffiti-Memes
Before the age of the internet, graffiti may have been the most common way to spread visual memes. Strategically placed in high-traffic, highly visible spots, graffiti slogans moved from creator to viewer, just like how online memes spread today.
One famous example is the phrase 'Frodo Lives!', spray-painted around the world in the 1960s and ’70s, symbolizing the hippie movement, the green movement, and Vietnam War protests. Another is 'Clapton is God,' which appeared throughout the U.K. and U.S. during Eric Clapton's time with Cream. A further example would be the 'Kilroy was Here' graffiti, which soldiers spread globally during World War II, offering a sense of connection and levity during their grim wartime experiences.
5. Tide Pod Challenge
Much like its idiotic, malicious counterpart, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the Tide Pod Challenge surfaced as a stark reminder of the power memes hold to influence behavior. However, in this case, the change was utterly foolish and dangerous. In 2018, videos began circulating online of people—mostly teens and young adults—eating Tide Pods. Yes, they ate them.
Tide Pods, those small, colorful packets of laundry detergent, were often mistaken for candy due to their size and vibrant appearance. However, they are incredibly dangerous to consume. The challenge, along with the meme frenzy surrounding it, caused a rise in injuries from ingesting Tide Pods and even led to several deaths. While YouTube has since banned these videos, the Tide Pod Challenge is certainly not the last meme-driven moment of senselessness.
4. Alfred E. Neuman
Mad Magazine is a comedic institution, shaping and defining satire for generations. The iconic mascot, with his buckteeth and oversized ears, frequently gracing the cover, is none other than Alfred E. Neuman. This character has a long and fascinating history, becoming one of the most enduring symbols of the magazine’s unique style.
The origins of the image remain mysterious, but it rapidly became a widely recognized mascot for advertisers at the turn of the 20th century. It was used to promote products ranging from food to household items and services. Unfortunately, it also became a symbol of racial intolerance, with its exaggerated character features appearing in racist propaganda. Posters and pamphlets from that period depicted the character alongside offensive slogans such as 'Irish Need Not Apply' and 'Kill the Jews.' As Mad Magazine (originally a comic) rose in popularity, they gradually gained control over the character, and it later became associated with the far less controversial catchphrase, 'What, me worry?'
3. Doge
Unlike Pepe, the doge meme began as an innocent and pure idea and has retained its charm throughout the years. It has evolved into one of the internet’s most beloved memes, spawning countless variations. It has been featured in advertisements, video games, mobile apps, and nearly every corner of the web. The doge meme became particularly famous when it was adopted as the face of Dogecoin, one of the largest cryptocurrencies.
Dogecoin, once worth only a fraction of its current value, has experienced exponential growth, now worth hundreds of times more than it did at its inception. Thanks to endorsements from celebrities like Elon Musk, Dogecoin is now rivaling the popularity of Bitcoin. But the doge meme has contributed more to Dogecoin than simply acting as its mascot. It perfectly embodies the fun and laid-back philosophy of its creators, who sought to build a relaxed cryptocurrency with an equally laid-back community. As the face of a major financial system, the doge meme proves that memes have the potential to bring about significant changes to once-static systems.
2. Pepe the Frog
The tale of Pepe the Frog is one of sorrow. What began as a completely innocent meme soon took a dark turn. Pepe first appeared in the webcomic Boy’s Club, where he was just a laid-back frog who spent his time smoking weed and sharing absurd humor. But then it evolved into a meme, with his image being repurposed to express countless emotions and ideas. And then…
We lost him. Between 2015 and 2017, a chain reaction began, initially sparked by Donald Trump, and later fueled by the culture of 4chan. Pepe’s transformation from the cheerful ‘feels good man’ frog to a symbol widely adopted by the alt-right was swift and jarring. He became tied to hate speech, Nazism, and even the 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol. Matt Furie, Pepe’s creator, has vocally opposed the use of his character for such purposes, taking legal action against various groups who have profited from using Pepe as a tool of extremism and hatred.
1. Trump Wrestles CNN
In 2017, Donald Trump shared a short meme video in which it appeared as though he was beating up a figure representing the news network CNN in a wrestling match. The video ends with the CNN logo being replaced by ‘FNN: Fraud News Network.’ The clip stirred widespread controversy, raising concerns and reshaping the way political memes are viewed for several reasons.
For one, it was unprecedented for a sitting leader of a major nation to devote so much of his time to engaging with memes. For another, the video was made by a Reddit user known for his history of racist and anti-Semitic content. And finally, when newly positioned leaders criticize the legitimacy of the free press, it is often a tactic employed by authoritarians. Trump’s frequent use of the ‘fake news’ slogan has drawn numerous comparisons to Hitler’s ‘lying press’ rhetoric.
Both Trump and the creator of the video issued apologies for sharing it.
