The Hidden Power of Memes

Episode Description:

In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with internet culture writer and editor Aja Romano to explore how memes shape the way we communicate, organize, and understand the world around us.

What may appear trivial or disposable on the surface often carries deep cultural meaning. From catchphrases and reaction images to political symbols and online movements, memes function as shared cultural language that evolves as people remix, reinterpret, and redistribute them across communities. Together, Kaitlin and Aja unpack how memes gain traction, why authenticity matters, and what happens when ideas lose their original context as they spread online.

Drawing on examples ranging from Pepe the Frog and “Dark Brandon” to the evolution of terms like “woke” and “cancel culture,” the conversation explores how memes can both build connection and distort meaning. Aja explains why memes are difficult to engineer intentionally, why brands and institutions often struggle to participate authentically, and how marginalized communities frequently shape internet culture before their contributions are absorbed into the mainstream.

In This Episode:

• What gives memes their staying power while so many internet trends quickly disappear
• How memes evolve as they move between communities and platforms
• Examples of memes shaping political movements, public discourse, and collective identity
• Why authenticity and spontaneity are essential to successful memes
• How organizations and advocacy campaigns can participate in meme culture and the risks it involves
• How memes change meaning as they move across different online communities and audiences
• Whether memes can engage serious issues without trivializing them

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