Memes as Modern Folklore: Cultural Transmission in the Digital Age

Abstract

This study examines internet memes as a contemporary form of folklore, focusing on their role in cultural transmission within the digital age. Using secondary data drawn from existing literature, online archives, and prior empirical studies on digital communication, the research analyzes how memes function as carriers of shared meanings, social norms, and collective identities across virtual communities. The study applies an interdisciplinary framework combining media studies, cultural anthropology, and communication theory to explore the processes through which memes are created, adapted, and disseminated. Findings indicate that memes exhibit key characteristics of traditional folklore, including anonymity of authorship, rapid variation, and communal participation. However, unlike conventional folklore, memes spread at unprecedented speed and scale through social media platforms, enabling real-time cultural exchange and reinterpretation. The analysis further reveals that memes serve not only as entertainment but also as tools for political expression, social critique, and identity formation, particularly among younger, digitally engaged populations. The study concludes that memes represent an evolving form of participatory culture that bridges oral traditions and digital communication, reshaping how cultural knowledge is produced and transmitted. It highlights the importance of understanding memes as significant cultural artifacts and calls for further research into their long-term implications for cultural continuity, social cohesion, and information ecosystems in increasingly networked societies.