From: lexfridman
The term meme was first introduced by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book, The Selfish Gene. In this context, a meme represents the cultural counterpart to the biological gene, signifying a unit of cultural transmission or imitation. Memes are an integral part of Dawkins’ gene-centered view of evolution, which he explored extensively in his work [00:00:24].
Defining Memes
Memes are considered to play a similar role in the transmission of culture as genes do in the transmission of biological traits [00:15:56]. They represent ideas, behaviors, or styles that spread within a culture — what Dawkins describes as a “cultural equivalent in the sense of that which plays the same role as the gene in the transmission of culture and ideas in the broadest sense” [00:15:56].
Meme and Darwinian Evolution
A meme enables cultural evolution in a way that is analogous to the genetic evolution of species seen in biological systems. While memes replicate culturally, they do so with variations that are subject to selection pressures, much like DNA [00:16:24].
Mechanisms of Meme Transmission
Cultural transmission via memes can happen both longitudinally (from one generation to the next) and laterally (spread across a populous in a fashion similar to viral transmission). Dawkins notes how memes can evolve rapidly and swirl within society, adapting and mutating in response to selection pressures, alluding to religious ideas being transmitted like viruses through conversions by charismatic preachers [00:18:40].
The Internet and the Propagation of Memes
The advent of the internet has profoundly affected the dynamics of meme propagation. The internet allows for rapid dissemination of ideas across the globe, akin to a step-change in the facility of propagation. As Dawkins remarks, the digital environment provides “an extremely rapid method of transmission” [00:19:56].
Implications for Human Society
The spread of memes underscores the importance of understanding evolutionary biology’s role in our social and cultural fabric. Memes contribute significantly to human cognition and understanding, as well as to societal shifts and trends. While the concepts initially stem from evolutionary biology, memes influence the morphogenesis of ideas, political systems, and even belief systems [00:17:17].
Meme Evolution and Future Studies
Dawkins proposes thinking in a Darwinian way about how cultural ideas spread. He posits that memes evolve socially, much like any other evolutionary process. The argument is that cultural evolution should be seen as a part of the broader dynamics of evolutionary biology, reflecting how memes adapt and thrive in a given environment [00:20:39].
In conclusion, understanding memes and cultural evolution invites us to explore wider evolutionary phenomena. They not only signify the rapid dissemination of cultural ideas but also highlight an intersection of natural selection with modern technological trends and societal advancements woven into the fabric of human culture.