2.2 Integration of MEME culture and social media

MEME, a term originally coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene, to describe a mode of transmission of cultural information similar to the transmission of genes in biology. Dawkins defines MEME as a unit of cultural transmission that is passed among humans through mimicry. With the development of the Internet and social media, the concept of MEME has evolved to refer to images, videos, words, or ideas that spread rapidly on the Internet, often with humor and satire, and are quickly accepted and spread by the general public.

In the early days of the Internet, MEME mainly appeared in the form of simple pictures or words, such as emoticons and Internet fanfics. With the advancement of technology and the popularization of social media, MEME has become more diversified in form and content, including complex video clips, parody challenges, etc. MEME culture has spread rapidly around the world due to its unique sense of humor and instant response to real-life events, and has become an important part of modern Internet culture.

The Role of Social Media in MEME Cultural Communication

The rise of social media has provided fertile ground for the spread of MEME culture. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit not only allow users to create and share MEME, but also enable the content to be widely distributed in a very short period of time. Social media algorithms tend to prioritize the display of content that generates strong reactions and interactions, further accelerating the spread of MEME. In addition, the characteristics of a particular social media platform and user group also shape the style and themes of MEME to a certain extent.

The r/wallstreetbets subforum on Reddit is a prime example of a community that has become not only a centralized place for stock trading discussions, but also a curator of financial MEME culture. These communities have developed a unique community culture and influence by discussing stock market dynamics and investment strategies through humor and satire.

MEME Intersection of Culture and Financial Markets

As the MEME culture has become more popular, its influence has begun to spread beyond the traditional realms, one of which is the financial markets. Through social media platforms, retail investors are utilizing MEME to express their opinions, sentiments and predictions about the stock market, a phenomenon that is gradually creating a new market force. MEME has the ability to spread very quickly from investor to investor, influencing their sentiments and decision-making, and therefore the direction of a particular stock or the market as a whole.

This phenomenon was particularly evident in the GameStop incident, when a group of retail investors organized through social media to fight against the short positions of a large hedge fund, triggering an unusual volatility in the stock price and subsequently causing the SEC to enter into regulation. This not only demonstrated the influence of MEME culture in financial markets, but also led to a broader discussion about market fairness, information dissemination mechanisms, and regulatory policy.

MEME Culture and the Rise of Cryptocurrencies

In the financial sector, the MEME culture has become a new market influence through the promotion of social media platforms. This influence is especially notable in the cryptocurrency market, a prime example of which is the emergence and explosive growth of DOGE, SHIB, PEOPLE, PEPE, and BOME-based cryptocurrencies.

The cryptocurrency market has experienced rapid growth and expansion since the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009. The cryptocurrency market has several unique characteristics compared to traditional financial markets: high volatility, decentralization, global accessibility, and relative anonymity. These characteristics have attracted a large number of investors and traders, especially those interested in technology and looking for high returns.

These characteristics of cryptocurrencies also make them an ideal vehicle for spreading the MEME culture. Cryptocurrency communities tend to use social media platforms to communicate and share information, which contributes to the popularity and spread of MEME in these communities.