What is it about internet memes that make them so fascinating?

Because it gives us the opportunity to show up our older coworkers who may not understand that the Internets are more than a series of tubes.

its a big truck

Because they’re just so funny. Leeeeeroy Jenkins!

They aren’t fascinating; they are (or were) funny.

Does anyone else bemoan the popularization of Internet memes? They used to be in-jokes that I relished, but as they spread I find myself unable to enjoy them. Some of my friends try to transpose the use of memes on the Internet with the use of memes in real life, and I don’t like that at all. It’s awkward.

I also notice websites like 4chan, which I frequent (when I’m not banned), and encylopediadramatica are now better known to the public, and I suspect soon they will be invaded by… newfags.

Play him off keyboard cat etc. is not a funny meme. TIME shouldn’t even be covering it. “The Internet has officially run out of ideas”? Apparently so has the magazine in its struggle to remain relevant. Covering keyboard cat? Come on.

But that’s just my opinion.

Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down!

I like them because they’re a bit of cultural identity that spans the globe. If you’re in the culture (internet in this case) then it gives a sense of belonging somehow.

Plus most of them are funny as hell.

@uberbatman No, it’s a series of tubes GODDAMMIT! You can’t just dump things on the internet.

Rule of thumb: if you’re read about it in Time, it’s already passe.

@oratio yeaaa but like all the stuff i keep putting in the tubes is getting clogged.

@uberbatman True, so true. But the true powers of the internets have come to visit you in peace and with goodwill! They are your plastic pal who’s fun to be with.

So, Keyboard Cat is in Time this week? Play yourself off, Keyboard Cat!

@nxknxk
You should never admit that

Before there were internet ‘memes’ there was TV, as in “You bet your bippy” and “Sock it to me” that took hold of vast numbers of the population.

Anybody remember “Kilroy Was Here” stenciled on buildings throughout the world? I do.

@nxknxk now now, looks like someone is forgetting rule number one :P