Oh Now I See

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Not really understanding what in the parlance of bloggers a 'meme' is, I just typed "What is a meme" into Google. Here's what it came back with:

Web Definition: meme - /meem/ [coined on analogy with `gene' by Richard Dawkins] n. An idea considered as a {replicator}, esp. with the connotation that memes parasitize people into propagating them much as viruses do. Used esp. in the phrase `meme complex' denoting a group of mutually supporting memes that form an organized belief system, such as a religion. This lexicon is an (epidemiological) vector of the `hacker subculture' meme complex; each entry might be considered a meme. However, `meme' is often misused to mean `meme complex'. Use of the term connotes acceptance of the idea that in humans (and presumably other tool- and language-using sophonts) cultural evolution by selection of adaptive ideas has superseded biological evolution by selection of hereditary traits. Hackers find this idea congenial for tolerably obvious reasons.

I'll keep looking.
K-

2 Comments

dude said:

define:meme in google

TW said:

I know what one is, but you sound like you're having a good time so I'll just let you continue on your search.

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This page contains a single entry by Kem White published on February 5, 2004 10:52 AM.

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