Meme
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A "meme" is a shorthand designation for the acceptance and flow of an idea within a culture.
Origin of Concept
Genetic Analogy
The concept of a "meme" was popularized, and maybe created, in 1976[1] by Richard Dawkins. He submits it as a term to denote a "unit of cultural information" which disceminates from one person's mind to another in a manner analogous to the inheritance of genetic information.
Memeplexes or meme-complexes.
Transmission of Memes
Evolution
Examples of Memes
- musical tunes
- style of cultural components
- buildings
- fashion
- common catch-phrases
- belief systems
- religions
The Meme Debate
Proponents of the Idea
Proponents suggest memes evolve through natural selection. This would be like biological evolution. A meme would change / mutate through its propagation in the culture.
Critics of the Idea
External Links
References
- ↑ Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene. "Memes:The new replicators", Oxford University, 1976, Second Edition, December 1989