A meme is a cultural element that spreads from person to person. Originally, memes were thought to follow the same rules as genes in biology, appearing randomly, changing suddenly, replicating quickly, and either surviving if strong or going extinct if weak. Today, internet memes are altered intentionally for various purposes, which is a change from the initial understanding of memes as randomly mutating. The most successful memes are adaptable yet maintain certain stable elements.

Example: The 'Pepe the Frog' meme, which began as a simple comic character, has been repeatedly adapted to convey different emotions or ideas. Despite these changes, its identifiable features, like its distinctive frog face, have stayed consistent.

Memes often contain elements that are both stable and adaptable, which increase their potential for widespread usage and adaptation. These elements may open up possibilities for humor and invoke a range of human attributes or emotions. They can mix the familiar (like common human expressions) with the unexpected to create an effective meme. Memes can also involve altering an original image creatively and intentionally.

Example: The 'Doge' meme featuring a Shiba Inu dog. It's the dog's expressive face that provides the stable element and the humor. Different captions can express various human attributes such as surprise or skepticism, combining the familiar with the unexpected.