How do internet memes function as modern digital folklore and cultural barometers?

Internet memes are like popular stories that kids tell each other, but instead of using words, they use pictures and videos.

Think of a meme like a funny joke your friend tells you at lunch, then you tell it to someone else, and soon everyone is laughing about it. That's how memes spread: one person shares it, and then others add their own twists or make new versions. It’s like playing a game of telephone, but with pictures and videos!

When someone sees a meme they like, they might post it on social media or send it to friends. That's how memes become modern digital folklore, just like old stories passed down from generation to generation.

Memes also show what people are thinking about right now, like if everyone is talking about a funny video, that means something important or silly has happened. It’s like a cultural barometer, telling us what's popular and what's going on in the world.

So, memes help people connect and understand each other, just like stories have always done!