Memes
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!