Meme 101

QUEZON City, Philippines (October 7) –  The internet brought us a wide variety of entertainment, from videos, music, and images. Due to this technological advancement, different trends rose up and conquered the mainstream. One of those trends is the ever popular ‘meme’. According to Karen Schubert, an internet meme is an activity, concept, catchphrase or piece of media which spreads, often as mimicry, from person to person via the Internet. Below are some of the most popular memes in the internet world today.

1. ‘Chloe’ Meme – this meme originated from a video where the parents surprised their children by telling them that instead of going to school, they are going to Disneyland. The eldest sister was surprised and cried because of excitement, but apparently, Chloe, the younger one, seems unimpressed. The screenshot of her reaction was often used as a meme to express annoyance, disappointment and being unaffected.

2. Bad Luck Brian Meme – as the name implies, the Bad Luck Brian meme is used to express situations of bad luck. Though in real life, he is a one lucky guy for he experienced internet stardom because of his yearbook picture. His real name is Kyle Craven and he recently earned 20,000 dollars because of the ad campaigns that paid him to use this image.

3. Overly Attached Girlfriend Meme – this meme came from a Youtube video entitled “Justine Bieber Fan Video” that was Laina Walker’s entry for a competition. Though she didn’t win, she surely won the people through her creative and creepy rendition of JB’s song “Girlfriend”.

4. Success Kid Meme – Laney Griner decided to take a picture of her 11-month-old son on 2007. 8 years from now, that picture still circulates the internet as a meme that is used for successful situations. 8-year-old Sammy Griner then used his internet fame to collect funds for his dad’s kidney transplant. Now that’s a real success story.

5. First World Problems Girl – this meme is used to express the problems that people encounter in this generation. The girl from this meme is actually an actress and a model named Silvia Bottini.

(written by Carissa Lazaro, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)