Memes
So I'm curious, since i've not paid much attention to memes other than Dawkins book. Is the argument that humans have done this for all of written history? or is it only a modern thing when people have a more instant access to ideas and spreading them around the world.
From what I can tell, that you can't really distinguish that is part of the problem - otherwise wouldn't you not conclude that animals would somehow be susceptible to memetics? The only thing where it seems to have any concrete definition is as "internet meme".
Like I said, I've always been dubious and never really bought the idea - but equally have not read more than the most sketchy outlines or comments. It's an interesting metaphore, yes... it's just the way I hear people throwing it about "I will not subcum to your meme". "I'm over that meme now", seems almost a way for them (generally internet geeks and nerds like the folks on wiki or RW) to put some (any) idea into a classification as "popular idea everyone is buying into". Ie., in their parlance, right or wrong, "memes" are things you don't think about, you just have or do not have.
A meme is an idea. why did it have to become something *more* than a idea? I guess that's my problem.
Today I am talking about the "purpleization of downtown". it's an idea. when, why, or how does it become a "meme"?
Depends on who you want to market your pop science book to.
Will it sell more if it's a "meme" and not just an "idea"?
I would put my money on "yes," because "ideas" are old, boring, and stuffy. "Memes" are new, fashionable, and better yet, they are ScienceTM!
I think there is a study somewhere that shows books sell better if they seem to make up a new word to describe something. I might be pulling it out of my arse, but I'm sure I recall something along those lines...
Well, it sounds right, so it must be true!
"Truthoficty and audiosim: understanding the importance of being truth when you speak" (it sounds right, therefore it is).
Isn't the scientific term for that truthiness?
you said "new words" truthiness was coined already. i needed Truthoficity! It's the validity of the truth of truthiness!