History of Internet Memes

Study Notes

Definition: "LOL" (Laugh Out Loud) is an internet slang term that has evolved into a full-fledged meme.
Origins: The term "LOL" originated in the early 1980s as an abbreviation for "Laugh Out Loud" in online communities and chat rooms.
Meme evolution:
1. Initially used to express amusement or sarcasm in online conversations.
2. Became a popular internet slang term, often used in all capital letters ("LOL") to emphasize its meaning.
3. Evolved into a meme with the proliferation of image macros, featuring a captioned image with a humorous or ironic statement, accompanied by "LOL" or a variation (e.g., "LUL", "LMAO").
Characteristics:
- Often used to express irony, sarcasm, or playful joking.
- Can be used to soften the tone of a statement or to add humor to an otherwise mundane conversation.
- Frequently used in online communities, social media, and text messaging.
Impact:
- Contributed to the normalization of internet slang in mainstream language.
- Inspired a wide range of variations, parodies, and spin-offs, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.
- Reflects the internet's ability to create and disseminate memes that shape online communication and humor.

"LOL" stands for "Laugh Out Loud" and is a significant internet meme.
Originated in the early 1980s within online communities and chat rooms as an abbreviation for expressing amusement.

Initially utilized to convey amusement or sarcasm during online chats.
Gained popularity as an internet slang term, often stylized in all capital letters ("LOL") to enhance its emphasis.
Evolved into a meme format with image macros featuring humorous or ironic captions, frequently coupled with "LOL" or variations like "LUL" and "LMAO."

Used to convey irony, sarcasm, or playful teasing in communications.
Serves to soften the tone of statements or infuse humor into routine conversations.
Commonly utilized across online communities, social media platforms, and text messaging.

Played a crucial role in the integration of internet slang into mainstream language.
Gave rise to numerous variations, parodies, and spin-offs, establishing "LOL" as a cultural cornerstone.
Illustrates the internet's power to craft and share memes, significantly influencing online communication and humor.

First known toilet: Ancient Greece, around 2800 BCE.
Roman toilets: Simple structures, consisting of holes in the ground or wooden seats over pits.
Middle Ages toilets: Often just holes in the ground or rudimentary latrines.
Sir John Harington: Invented the first flushing toilet in the 16th century for Queen Elizabeth I.
Modern toilet development: Late 19th century, Thomas Crapper improved the U-bend design and introduced low-level toilets.

Flush toilet: Operates using water to eliminate waste.
Composting toilet: Transforms waste into nutrient-rich compost through decomposition.
Incinerating toilet: Burns waste, reducing it to a minimal amount of ash.
Dry toilet: Functions without water, suitable for regions facing water scarcity.
Urine-diverting dry toilet: Separates urine from feces for safe and efficient waste management.

Average toilet time per person: Approximately 3 years over a lifetime.
Common toilet germs: Can include E.coli, Salmonella, and Norovirus, posing health risks.
Importance of handwashing: Essential after toilet use to prevent illness transmission.
Regular cleaning: Helps deter the growth of bacteria and maintain hygiene.

Average water usage: Toilets consume about 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
Household water consumption: Toilets account for nearly 30% of total usage.
Water-saving options: Low-flow and dual-flush toilets significantly reduce water usage.
Issues with malfunctioning toilets: Can lead to water wastage and higher energy costs.