Memes are the blood of the internet. They efficiently carry nutrients (accessible inspiration) and messenger compounds (concepts, terminology), and carry away waste (with humor). Just for ideas and feelings of digital personas instead of physical needs of biological cells.
It's why they're so universal across every platform, moreso even than cats (barely) or porn. They're one of the methods by which the individual, independent communities maintain a semblance of a broader culture and ability to cross-communicate efficiently. Which words alone are often pretty bad at.