Mini-Movements

The Internet and social media have made it easy to transform memes into fast-acting movements, whether intentionally or spontaneously.

The “Movember” men’s health movement that encourages men to grow mustaches in November grew into a global charity powerhouse in large part through social media outreach. “Storm Area 51” generated interest from millions after the tongue-in-cheek Facebook event of flash mobbing the secret U.S. Air Force base became a viral meme.

These memes and others like them, are creating “mini-movements” – widely attended and attentioned memes that take place primarily in the real world to incite change.