Memeology: The Science Behind Why We Can't Stop Sending Cat Videos

A new scientific discipline has emerged to study why humans compulsively share memes even during inappropriate moments like funerals and first dates. Memeologists have identified the "dopamine-dank" circuit in the brain that activates when we find content so perfectly absurd we must inflict it on others. "It's like sneezing, but for your soul," explained lead researcher Dr. Emma Zhou, showing MRI scans of brains lighting up to Shrek memes like they're solving calculus. The study found 73% of workplace productivity loss stems from "vortex memes" - those so recursively funny they trap groups in endless reply chains. Surprisingly, the research also revealed memes now serve as primitive communication - a full 15% of office Slack messages are just the same three GIFs rearranged. The most disturbing finding? Our brains process viral content identically to actual memories, meaning future historians may study "Distracted Boyfriend" as a primary source.