Memes have been part of computer-assisted communication almost since the development of the first consumer browser (the "WorldWideWeb") in 1990. The Internet's ability to provide a public sphere for people to discuss the issues of the day and other topics of interest means that people can use the language of the Internet to express themselves in ways that would not be feasible in the real world. Those bits of content are native to the Internet that it feels obvious to want to understand why they are so compelling to tens of millions of people that use smartphones, tablets, computers, and other smart devices. This book seeks to explain how memes influence societies and cultures beyond the confines of social networking services. It will begin by reviewing the fundamental definitions that frame discussions about memes in popular culture and academic research. There will be a connection between theoretical concepts about memes and the memetic content itself. Each chapter will be using one theorist's work to dig a little deeper into what makes memes effective modes of engagement between people online.
Dr. Shane Tilton is the Irene Casteel Endowed Chair for Education, Professional, and Social Sciences and an Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism at the Ohio Northern University. Tilton is also a Fellow for the Ohio Northern University Institute for Civic and Public Policy. He was named the 2018 Young Stationers' Prize for his work advancing journalism and communication scholarship and education in United States higher education for nearly two decades. He was the first American in the more than six century history of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers to earn such an honor. Tilton's research normally falls in the realms of collegiate game-based pedagogy, the psychological issues surrounding ludology, multimedia journalism's influence on society, social media engagement, and memetic communication practices. His work on social media and its connection to university life earned him the 2013 Harwood Dissertation award from the Broadcast Education Association. His last book Meme Life was awarded the 2023 Top Book Award from the National Communication Association's Human Communication and Technology interest division.
