Meme Theory

Dawkins introduces the idea that evolution does not always occur genetically. Our culture is transmitted through “memes” at a faster rate than genetic evolution. These memes are embodiments of human culture— fragments of our thoughts and practices that gather together to form more complex ideas. This is much like our own development in that we are composed of many genes sequences that form a complex being. Dawkins goes on to demonstrate that natural selection and survival of the fittest applies perfectly to memes. Memes that cannot reproduce will die out, while others adapt to become cherished human institutions.

I found these ideas to be a fascinating look at the evolution of human culture. The theory of memes places abstract cultural ideas into scientific terms that can be more easily studied. The thought occurred to me that memes must evolve at a faster rate because they do not require sexual reproduction. They can reproduce many times in a single person’s lifespan. This gives them a more accessible power than genetic evolution, which we can only witness in our children. This idea also explains the evolution of ideas which cannot be genetically inherited, such as celibacy. The theory of memes places abstract cultural ideas into scientific terms that can be more easily studied. The thought occurred to me that memes must evolve at a faster rate because they do not require sexual reproduction. They can reproduce many times in a single person’s lifespan. This gives them a more accessible power than genetic evolution, which we can only witness in our children. This idea also explains the evolution of ideas which cannot be genetically inherited, such as celibacy.

The “self-perpetuating” meme operates on the greatest reproductive success, i.e. survival of the fittest. This brings to mind Fukuyama’s lecture from earlier in the semester when he mentioned the death of religious diversity. The loss of small religious sects could be the death of memes that could not compete and therefore did not reproduce. We can see “genetic” variation in memes when Roman Catholicism developed protestant offshoots. Then, reproductively unfit memes (Puritanism) were “selected” out. The development of indoctrination techniques were a means of coping with the environment, creating further reproductive success.

Memes can be used as a means of control in human culture. The goal of an advertiser is to give birth to a meme that will become self replicating. The idea will gain momentum, and the public will be swayed into buying a product because the meme has permeated their culture. Another example is Dawkins illustration of blind faith. Blind faith is self perpetuating because we are told that it is better to believe without questioning. We must ask ourselves, what is this meme’s means of survival? Is it harmful to trust this meme simply because it has culturally acceptable? We must be careful when addressing the memes that come to us on a daily basis. The self-perpetuating quality of memes makes them seem appealing, but we must learn to question what is considered socially correct.

The concept of memes reinforces the idea that “all life evolves by the differential survival of replicating entities.” The replication of memes is but one aspect of the natural selection that occurs in every aspect of life on this planet. Dawkins thorough presentation of his theory was extremely convincing and provided me with an innovative means of analyzing human culture.