Line #51 Main/MemeticMutation


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8	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/memes_wp.png]]
9	[[caption-width-right:350:[[WebVideo/{{Jacksepticeye}} It's meme time, it's meme time; gather all your friends, it's meme time; it's meme time, it's meme time; the only cure for sadness!]] ''[[LetsPlay/{{Pewdiepie}} clap clap]]''[[note]][[https://web.archive.org/web/20191015015705/http://0.static.collegehumor.cvcdn.com/images/memeposter/the-internet-wallpaper.jpg Full version.]][[/note]]]]
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14	->'''Monsoon:''' Free will is a myth. Religion is a joke. We are all pawns, controlled by something greater: Memes. The DNA of the soul. They shape our will. They are the culture -- they are everything we pass on. Expose someone to anger long enough, they will learn to hate. They become a carrier. Envy, greed, despair... All memes. All passed along.\
15	'''Raiden:''' How about "full of shit"? Is that a meme?
16	-->--An exchange from ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' which has, itself, [[ShapedLikeItself become a meme.]]
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20
21	Ah, memes. [[VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance The DNA of the soul]].
22
23	Sociology notwithstanding, on TheInternet, a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ "meme"]] (rhymes with "cream") is usually described as a catchy derivative of some aspect of pop culture [[TheParody parodied]] and repeated over and over, essentially being a cross between a catchphrase and an inside joke. If not used ''carefully'', [[DiscreditedMeme it can get to the point that its origins and original meaning become muddled and completely mutilated beyond any point of recognition or humor]].
24
25	Which means we don't want them in TV Tropes articles. Because we are not interested in being muddled, dated, and beyond humor.
26
27	{{Fandom}} being what it is, this also applies to characters. Fandoms are liable to spread [[MemeticPersonalityChange a "meme" version of a character]] which is totally (oftentimes deliberately) at odds with the original depiction, such as a cheerful version of a dark or scary character, a sexy version of a character featured in a JekyllAndHyde episode, or an unlucky-yet-annoyingly-optimistic version of a normally [[TheWoobie depressed, tragic character]].
28
29	Another quirk of memes depends on where they're initially propagated. Memes often spread regardless of content, taste or sensibilities, while the original source may be the only ones who know enough about the source material to use it ironically. Furthermore, some memes reference something common, but become catchy enough to be [[OlderThanTheyThink associated with only a single new thing]].
30
31	Depending on how strongly the production company is tied with {{fandom}}, sometimes a meme can escape the space it originally spread in and get referenced in the medium it parodied through BonusMaterial or PopularityPower. When this is the case you get an AscendedMeme. Some forgotten or {{Discredited Meme}}s are even resurrected thanks to the PopularityPolynomial.
32
33	It can be an instance of TheCatchPhraseCatchesOn, which is when a phrase or saying from fiction becomes popular as an expression used in RealLife. However, certain memes are only popular to a certain group.
34
35	For in-universe examples, see InstantWebHit.
36
37	If you'd like to keep up with the memes of the day, go to Website/KnowYourMeme, or [[https://meme.fandom.com/wiki/Teh_Meme_Wiki Teh Meme Wiki]] on Fandom, or [[http://www.lurkmore.com/wiki/Main_page The LURKMORE Wiki]] ({{NSFW}}), or the fine folks at [[https://encyclopediadramatica.online Encyclopedia Dramatica]] (even more NSFW). These are all examples of great resources for the memes themselves and the enigmatic culture around them, but beware the interstitials. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned. On the other hand, if you just want to learn who starts many of these, see FountainOfMemes. These are probably the most common source of SurrealHumor.
38
39	The {{Trope Namer\|s}} (for the word ''[[UsefulNotes/{{Memetics}} meme]]'') is UsefulNotes/RichardDawkins, who suggested a MindVirus-like model of society: that cultural information is inherited and reproduced, occasionally with minor mutations, in a similar way to ''genetic'' information. It's explained in detail, in plain language, in Creator/NealStephenson's 1992 novel ''Literature/SnowCrash''.
40
41	Note that Memetic Mutation ''cannot'' be [[PlayingWithATrope played with]] e.g. [[{{Trope}} played straight]], {{exaggerated\|trope}}, {{downplayed\|trope}}, {{justified\|trope}}, because it never "gets played" intentionally to begin with, just like other AudienceReactions.[[note]]Unless, [[IntendedAudienceReaction if the authors are deliberately trying]] to {{invoke\|dtrope}} it...[[/note]]
42
43	When adding to one of the subpages, please write the meme, then add the explanation of the meme inside a [[Administrivia/NotesAndLabelnotes labelnote]] titled "Explanation." [[labelnote:Explanation]]This is just the example. Follow it this way.[[/labelnote]]
44	----
45	!!Memes by medium:
46	[[index]]
47	[floatboxright:
48	'''See also:'''
49	* Memes/OtherInternet (memes by website)
50	]
51	* Memes/{{Advertising}}
52	* Memes/AnimeAndManga
53	* Memes/{{Arts}}
54	* Memes/AsianAnimation
55	* Memes/ComicBooks
56	* Memes/ComicStrips
57	* Memes/FanWorks
58	* [[Memes/AnimatedFilms Films — Animation]]
59	* [[Memes/LiveActionFilms Films — Live-Action]]
60	* Memes/{{Literature}}
61	* Memes/LiveActionTV
62	* Memes/{{Music}}
63	* Memes/{{Pinball}}
64	* Memes/ProfessionalWrestling
65	* Memes/{{Radio}}
66	* Memes/TabletopGames
67	* Memes/{{Theatre}}
68	* Memes/{{Toys}}
69	* Memes/VideoGames (includes VisualNovels)
70	** [[Memes/VideoGames0ToJ Video Games 0 to J]]
71	** [[Memes/VideoGamesKToZ Video Games K to Z]]
72	* Memes/WebAnimation
73	* Memes/{{Webcomics}}
74	* Memes/WebOriginal
75	* Memes/WesternAnimation
76	* Memes/RealLife
77	[[/index]]
78	----
79	!!Meme-related tropes and articles, and specific memes with their own pages:
80	[[index]]
81	[floatboxright:
82	'''Related index:'''
83	* TropeNamesFromMemes
84
85	'''See also:'''
86	* Website/KnowYourMeme
87	]
88	* JustForFun/AdOfWin
89	* ''Fanfic/AngryMarinesRubyQuest''
90	* ''Literature/AtheistProfessorCopypasta'': A copypasta meme concerning an UrbanLegend about a {{Straw\|Liberal}} [[HollywoodAtheist Atheist]] [[PoliticallyMotivatedTeacher college professor]].
91	* ''JustForFun/{{Bowsette}}''
92	* JustForFun/CandleJack: A meme in which anyone who [[SpeakOfTheDevil says the name]] of a particular ''{{WesternAnimation/Freakazoid}}'' villain gets [[KilledMidSentence abducted mid-sentence]].
93	* ''JustForFun/CaramelldansenVid''
94	* TheCatchphraseCatchesOn: When a famous catchphrase or other quote gets repeated outside its original context.
95	* CharacterCatchphrase: A quotation that a fictional character is famous for frequently saying.
96	* ConfucianConfusion
97	* ''WebOriginal/{{Creamsicle}}''
98	* {{Creepypasta}}: Horror fiction stories circulating on the Internet, frequently told in a first-person perspective as if reporting events that really happened.
99	** ''Literature/JeffTheKiller'': A wide-eyed, pale-faced SerialKiller who was a fairly notorious creepypasta character.
100	** TheMostDangerousVideoGame: A common creepypasta story is to have the narrator recount their experience playing a cursed video game that features disturbing content and threatens to harm the player.
101	** ''Website/SCPFoundation'': A creepypasta site which evolved into an [[TheVerse expansive fictional universe]], centered around a [[TheMenInBlack top-secret organization]] which [[TheMasquerade captures paranormal beings and objects]].
102	** ''Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos'': Probably the most famous of all creepypasta characters, Slender Man is a [[SharpDressedMan Sharply-Dressed]] HumanoidAbomination who inspired numerous different adaptations and imitators.
103	** ''WebOriginal/{{Zalgo}}'': A recurring EldritchAbomination entity which corrupts other characters and written text.
104	* DiscreditedMeme: When a tired old joke or meme stops being funny.
105	* FanNickname: A nickname that fans of a work give to one of the characters.
106	* FauxtivationalPoster: A parody of a motivational poster, featuring pictures or captions that aren't really inspirational.
107	* ''WebOriginal/FluffyPony''
108	* ForcedMeme: An obvious attempt to create a new meme backfires or falls flat.
109	* FountainOfMemes: A character who tends to inspire memes.
110	* GoodBadTranslation: A translation of a work with errors that provoke enough amusement that it is accepted in its own right.
111	* ''WebVideo/HitlerRants'': Parody videos consisting of edited clips with [[GagSub fake subtitles]] from the German UsefulNotes/WorldWarII film ''Film/Downfall2004'', featuring UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler (played by Creator/BrunoGanz) furiously complaining about various weird subjects (often highly {{anachronis\|mStew}}tic to the original movie's historical setting), or getting into all kinds of absurdly ridiculous and random situations.
112	* IconicOutfit
113	* ImageMacro: Stock pictures with humorous captions.
114	* ''WebOriginal/{{Inglip}}''
115	* ''JustForFun/InspectorSpacetime''
116	* InstantHumiliationJustAddYouTube: A character gets humiliated from an embarrassing video of them getting posted online.
117	* TheInternetIsForCats: Cute and funny photos or videos of cats (or other animals).
118	** WebOriginal/LOLCats: ImageMacro memes of cats with captions written in broken English.
119	* TheInternetIsForPorn: All kinds of erotic content can be found online.
120	* InterruptingMeme
121	* {{Jaccuse}}
122	* ''Advertising/TheManYourManCouldSmellLike''
123	* MemeAcknowledgment: When the creator of a work references a meme based on their work.
124	** AscendedMeme: When a meme ends up becoming officially canonized by the work it is derived from.
125	* MemeRoleReprise: An actor unofficially [[RoleReprise reprises a role]] for the sake of a meme.
126	* MemeticHair
127	* MemeticPersonalityChange: {{Fanon}} alterations to a character's personality.
128	** MemeticBadass: A fictional character (or a real person) is made out to be way more awesome than they actually are.
129	*** ''Website/ChuckNorrisFacts'': Jokes about Creator/ChuckNorris being an unstoppable mighty being.
130	** MemeticBystander
131	** MemeticLoser: A fictional character is made out to be more pathetic than they actually are, usually due to a humiliating defeat.
132	** MemeticMolester: A fictional character is interpreted on the Internet as some kind of sexual predator due to statements, mannerisms, and actions that can be seen as creepy and perverse.
133	** MemeticPsychopath: A nice character or ineffectual villain is interpreted on the Internet as an insanely violent jerk due to a JerkassBall moment.
134	** MemeticTroll
135	* ''Literature/NavySealCopypasta'': A copypasta meme associated with {{Internet Tough Guy}}s trying to make up badass credentials.
136	* ObnoxiousEntitledHousewife: From the late 2010s and onward, the term "Karen" has become commonly used to refer to annoying women (or occasionally men) who behave like this stereotype.
137	* OnlyInFlorida: The "FloridaMan" meme comes from a lot of weird news stories concerning the crazy criminal antics of local people from Florida.
138	* PlayAlongMeme: Fans jokingly play along with an in-universe narrative or lie.
139	* JustForFun/{{Rickroll}}: The music video for Music/RickAstley's song "Never Gonna Give You Up" was often used to troll people through misleading links.
140	* RulesOfTheInternet: A list of Internet customs originating from Platform/FourChan.
141	** RuleThirtyFour: There is [[TheInternetIsForPorn online porn]] based on just about anything imaginable.
142	** Rule50: There is {{crossover}} fanfiction between any two different works of fiction.
143	** RuleSixtyThree: There are GenderFlipped versions of all fictional characters.
144	* ''WebVideo/SansGaming''
145	* SignatureScene
146	* SignatureTransition
147	* ''WebVideo/SpongeBobEdited'': Videos where the original audio is replaced with sound bytes of swearing or other expletives for comedic effect.
148	* StayInTheKitchen
149	* ''WebOriginal/SurrealMemes''
150	* WebOriginal/TendiesStories
151	* ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet: The assumption that all women on the Internet are just [[{{GIRL}} men pretending to be women]].
152	* JustForFun/TropersDoItWithoutNotability
153	* JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife
154	* ''JustForFun/TheUglyBarnacle''
155	* VoiceClipSong
156	* ''Webcomic/VirginVsChad'': A comparison meme in which two characters, the "Virgin" (a pathetic wimp) is contrasted with the "Chad" (a cool badass), with the Virgin and Chad being used to represent many different kinds of people or concepts.
157	* ''Advertising/ViveSinDrogas'': An advertising campaign with a rapping flower telling you not to use drugs. The rapping flower gets a lot of memes out of it in the advertising campaign's native Mexico.
158	* WatchItForTheMeme: After seeing a particular meme, you decide to check out the original media source out of curiosity.
159	* WrongfullyAttributed: A popular misquote which distorts what the original person/character actually stated.
160	** BeamMeUpScotty
161	* XCalledTheyWantTheirYBack
162	* YouTubePoop: Platform/YouTube videos consisting of random clips, images and audio edited together to create all sorts of bizarre scenes.
163	[[/index]]

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