Culture
Symposium at Alexandria Book Fair Examines Memes as Tools of Cultural Influence
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Symposium at Alexandria Book Fair Examines Memes as Tools of Cultural Influence
A symposium at the Alexandria International Book Fair discussed how internet memes have evolved from entertainment into a form of digital cultural communication and persuasion.
- Ahmed Esmat, a media technology consultant, stated that memes are no longer just entertainment but have become a form of digital cultural communication.
- Esmat noted that the term "meme" was first coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in 1976 to describe a unit of cultural transmission through imitation.
- He said the first globally spread internet meme was the "Dancing Baby" in 1996, and that memes now rely on psychological mechanisms such as evoking strong emotions and a sense of belonging.
- The 21st edition of the fair, featuring 86 publishers and 410 events, continues until July 20, 2026.
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