Is there a fundamental internet meme that has had such a major impact that it would have notable repercussions if it had somehow disappeared?
Pepe frog memes. It was originally a “sad” frog meme used by cut-me-own wrist R9k users but Hillary’s hillariously inept interns claimed that it was a dogwhistle for Nazis becase Le 4chan bad. That made 4channers mad and you don’t want underwater basketweaving forum enthusiasts to get mad at you. They then used meme magic to get Trump to win.
this is a very trumper take on that. firstly, 4chan’s full of nazis, was then, is now. secondly, nazis absolutely had appropriated and spammed pepe widely before that statement. thirdly the underwater basket weaving meme is an old right wing joke making fun of art degrees. fourth, i’ve never seen the meme magic shit said by anyone who wasn’t a trumper.