Talk:Meme

"[D]etrimental to the welfare of their hosts"

>Memes that replicate most effectively enjoy more success, and some may replicate effectively even when they prove to be detrimental to the welfare of their hosts.

The quoted portion exists in the introduction to this article, and I don't understand what application this could have to most memes, or what would constitute a "host" in this context. (E.g., would the host be the person or idea featured in a meme, the person that created and/or posted it to an online forum, or the online forum, itself?)

Unless a substantive reason can be provided for keeping this, I would like to remove it. At present, it does not seem to add to the article in a meaningful way. Goatvillage (talk) 03:48, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

Daniel Dennett (in From Bacteria to Bach and Back (2018), ch.13 fn.95) gives an example of a detrimental cultural meme by saying "It's like, when, like, you use a phrase which, like, isn't really, like, doing any serious work, but, like, you go on, like, using it". In this example the meme is the habit of interjecting the word "like" and the host is the person who exhibits that habit. The behaviour may be detrimental to the speaker (host), but the habit (meme) persists nonetheless and may even spread to other people (other hosts) who are exposed to it.

Memes, like viruses, may be mutualist (ie, helpful), commensal (roughly, neutral) or parasitic (ie, detrimental), and this is an important aspect of memetic theory that isn't explicitly described in the article (although there may be more under Memetics). I think the portion you quote is confusing because it has an unreasonable burden to carry in introducing a large and non-obvious concept without any prior explanation. Perhaps the article would benefit from a more thorough explanation of this aspect memetics in a separate section. Gholson (talk) 08:17, 12 May 2024 (UTC)

Etymology

>For broad appeal, a meme might appeal to dissatisfaction and provide rough explanations for why things are going wrong. ... As such, fascism is the meme of collective brutality against those seen as "weak" or "foreign".

This (currently final) paragraph of the Etymology section doesn't relate to etymology in any way, but I'm undecided whether to simply remove it or to move it to another section (possibly Politics?). Gholson (talk) 09:10, 12 May 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 25 May 2024

I request edit access so I am able to add some examples of memes. Hawaiianseaslug456 (talk) 02:30, 25 May 2024 (UTC)

You can edit semi-protected articles when your account is WP:AUTOCONFIRMED RudolfRed (talk) 02:33, 25 May 2024 (UTC)

More examples are not needed thanks. Johnuniq (talk) 03:36, 25 May 2024 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 8 July 2024

specia = special 2603:8000:D300:3650:E1D2:5AC3:C25B:7842 (talk) 07:17, 8 July 2024 (UTC)

I fixed the typo, thanks. Johnuniq (talk) 07:56, 8 July 2024 (UTC)

The study of memes

Evolutionary Concept of Memes Proponents theorize that memes are viral phenomena that evolve through natural selection, akin to biological evolution.[8] Memes undergo processes analogous to variation, mutation, competition, and inheritance, each of which affects a meme's reproductive success. Memes spread based on the behavior they generate in their hosts, and memes that propagate less prolifically may go extinct, while others mutate and thrive. Like genes, memes that replicate most effectively enjoy more success, even when detrimental to their hosts.[9] Successful memes that survive longer or mutate less prolifically become more influential in shaping societal behavior, culture, and ideologies. Internet Memes and Cultural Impact In the age of the internet, memes have become a pivotal component of digital culture. Memes, particularly those spread via social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit, are a form of self-replicating digital content that evolve as users remix and reinterpret images, videos, or phrases. These internet memes often encapsulate current social or political phenomena, offering commentary or satire on contemporary events. Memes can rapidly go viral, shaping public discourse, influencing political movements, and building online communities united by shared cultural references . Memetics: The Study of Memes A field of study called memetics[12] emerged in the 1990s to explore the concepts and transmission of memes using an evolutionary framework. Critics of memetics argue that empirical study of memes is difficult, as they do not exist in a physical form like genes. However, developments in neuroimaging and cognitive science may allow for empirical studies of how cultural transmission functions at the neurological level.[11] Some social scientists question the validity of viewing culture as discrete units (memes), particularly the biological underpinnings of the theory. Others contend that this misunderstanding stems from a misinterpretation of the original concept . Etymology of 'Meme' The term meme is derived from the Greek word "mīmēma," meaning "imitated thing." Richard Dawkins coined the word in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, comparing the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena to the transmission of genes.[14][20] Dawkins proposed that memes act as self-replicating units of cultural information transmitted through imitation. Examples include melodies, catchphrases, and fashion . Dawkins and Early Development Although Richard Dawkins is credited with coining the term meme, similar ideas have been explored historically. Charles Darwin and T.H. Huxley both posited that ideas and intellectual phenomena were subject to evolutionary pressures. For instance, Huxley (1880) remarked that "The struggle for existence holds as much in the intellectual as in the physical world"[24]. In 1904, Richard Semon explored a related concept in his book Die Mneme, which was later published in English in 1924 as The Mneme[23]. Dawkins expanded upon this idea, proposing that memes are a fundamental unit of cultural evolution. Modern Applications: Memes in Digital and Political Culture In today's digital era, the concept of memes has expanded far beyond its original academic roots. Memes are not only a form of entertainment but also a tool for social commentary and political activism. Political memes, especially, have gained traction for their ability to condense complex ideas into easily shareable content. For instance, political campaigns and grassroots movements often utilize memes to engage younger audiences . The Role of Physical Media Dawkins initially viewed memes as abstract ideas, but subsequent theorists have highlighted the importance of the medium through which memes are transmitted. David Hull suggested that the medium (e.g., social media platforms, television) influences how memes evolve. Daniel Dennett similarly proposed that memes exist through their mediums, denying any distinction between a meme and its transmission method . Memetic Lifecycle and Replication Memes, much like genes, vary in their replication success. Memes that are able to replicate and adapt effectively spread and survive in the meme pool. Unsuccessful memes are forgotten over time. Imitation and communication are two key processes by which memes spread, with successful memes often propagating across multiple generations or between large populations. Memetic transmission can be vertical (parent to child) or horizontal (peer to peer). Adam McNamara classified memes into two categories: internal memes (i-memes) and external memes (e-memes), with i-memes existing within an individual's mind and e-memes being external expressions . Memetics and Cognitive Science Memetic theory has been subject to criticism, especially in relation to its application in cognitive science. Luis Benitez-Bribiesca pointed out the lack of a "code script" for memes, analogous to the DNA of genes. Critics argue that this lack of fidelity in replication makes memetic theory less scientifically rigorous . Despite criticisms, memetic theory has influenced disciplines such as cognitive psychology, sociology, and evolutionary psychology, providing a framework to understand cultural evolution and idea propagation . References: Blackmore, Susan. The Meme Machine. Oxford University Press, 1999. Dawkins, Richard. The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press, 1976. Shifman, Limor. Memes in Digital Culture. MIT Press, 2014. Edmonds, Bruce. "The Role of Memes in the Evolution of Human Culture." Journal of Memetics, 2002. Benitez-Bribiesca, Luis. "Memetics: The New Science of Ideas?" Skeptical Inquirer, 2001. For further readings and references, visit: Internet Meme Culture Oxford University Press MIT Press Fh287 (talk) 18:55, 1 October 2024 (UTC)

Again, what is your point here, Fh287? From the markup, including the give-away of still having for instance [8] in the text, makes me believe this is a

copy-paste of some kind. Note that copyright violations are forbidden. soetermans. ^{↑↑↓↓←→←→ B A TALK} 19:12, 1 October 2024 (UTC)