Failed in that only progressive cognoscenti use such trite usless terms.
And when they do they use it wrong, like Sullivan here.
Meme was brought to us by the 70's psychobabble crowd and the Wired mag PC progressive dot-bomb bilkers tried to bring it back.
Compare it to spin. Spin emerged in the same time frame. It came about naturally and has an intuitive meaning.
Meme on the other had was made up to be something big and important and meaningful but is none of them.
Meme is like Kwanza -- made up by the 60's generation but truly devoid of meaning.
Sullivan simply is betraying his roots. His point is good -- albeit rather obvious.