Internet “memes” are one picture depictions of an issue or topic that is often comical, ironic, or even condescending and demeaning. Often used as a form of creative rebellion or opposition to an opponent, or position, it was stated recently in the article, How Donald Trump Won the 2016 Meme Wars, “Creators of these memes act as self-appointed cultural gatekeepers.” Some credit Trump supporters’ mastery of the social media meme as perhaps an important key in his winning in 2016. What is Creator’s perspective on the power and influence of memes?

We see this as a fancy name for "propaganda," meaning that it is "information with a particular agenda that is uppermost in the intention in its launching." These are not necessarily truth that is in divine alignment, although can be. Much more often they are a narrow perspective that fits a prejudice or bias of some kind and is seen as a useful talking point to create the impression of believability and truth of something that is inherently a one-sided depiction of reality. So if that representation at least is accurate, it is not telling the whole story but not deceiving anyone other than not presenting the more complex tapestry of which it is a part. No such catchphrase is the be-all and end-all of human or divine wisdom. As an encapsulation, such phrases can resonate because they are created out of an appeal to prejudice many, many, times and to people holding the same prejudiced notion, the catchphrase will resonate and will be embraced readily and then passed on and circulated widely among that individual’s circle of contacts. Those with an open mind that is also an empty one, will rally around memes because they lack a personal depth of understanding already and may simply find it appealing at first blush and then embrace it without looking back. So that is the value of all propaganda, that it can persuade people to favor one’s own perspective but also can begin to co-opt the young who have not yet developed maturity to have well-formed ideas and opinions of their own. So it is a form of weaponized speech intended to be a kind of lasso to corral people to take a side in some way or another, and as such are manipulations inherently. This is no different than quoting someone who is learned and says something profound; their proclamation may live for all time as an example of truth and wisdom, so the issue here is whether the pursuit in the phrase is about seeking truth and helping others to be awakened or is serving a dark agenda of some kind to dupe people into believing a falsehood or distort their thinking in ways that support a dark agenda.