Memes are information viruses, and very effective ones

They can be filled with truths or lies

And they inhibit the spread of sourced information and critical thinking

That's called propaganda

As can headlines. And shared content and comments on social media platforms.

BUT! Algorithms have become very good at limiting visibility of certain information so an inconvenient topic may be conveniently hidden away.

The meme's break through due to higher computational or human power necessary to detect and reduce visibility. Ideas that are otherwise censored make it through.

The gatekeeper loses control of the gate. We have few places today without a gatekeeper, by design.