A Meme (pronounced "MEEM") virus is a virus which exists purely as thought in one’s brain. Its purpose is simply to replicate its memes in other people’s brains (memes are sort of like genes, but made of memory instead of genetic materials). Unlike the more sophisticated and subtle memetic codes found in contagious symbols, rhymes, ideas, and songs, the memetic code of a Meme virus contains just enough information to identify and replicate the virus, and nothing more.

The name of the virus that I am carrying is Meme-1. These Meme viruses have a number tacked onto the name, which represents the generation of the virus. When I pass on the Meme-1 virus to you right now, the name of the virus which is in your head is Meme-2, because it is a second generation of the Meme virus.

Your brain is now clogged with a Meme-2 virus. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take up much space, since only one Meme-type virus can occupy a brain. You will feel compelled, however, to spread Meme-3 viruses to many other people’s brains, and they in turn will infect others with Meme-4 viruses. If a person months from now attempts to infect you with a Meme-23 virus, you may politely tell that person that you are already infected with Meme-2. The Meme-23 carrier might then regard you with the respect a Meme ancestor carrier deserves.

Once you have been infected with a Meme virus you can disinfect yourself by forgetting the virus. (Of course, if the virus is remembered again, it was just hiding in your subconscious.) A person who carries a Meme virus and refuses to spread it has a "defective variant".

The Meme virus may be spread by person-to-person communication, or through telephones, email, web pages, random notes on bulletin boards, etc. Together we can spread the Meme virus to the world!