If you are an active Internet user, then you have probably come across more than once or twice on the Internet with the buzzword “meme”. However, ask no one, no one can really explain to whom this term belongs and what it generally means. So what are memes? Let's try to figure this out together.
Meme story
Few people know that the author of this term is Oxford professor of biology Richard Dawkins.
It was he who informed humanity about the existence of the so-called "meme viruses." As an answer to the question “What are memes?” the scientist explained that at an early stage of
evolution, a person could survive only if he had the strength and endurance. Gradually, these qualities were improved and fixed in the genes, however, as civilization progressed, physical data faded into the background. Now the first place was occupied by human intelligence. Accordingly, according to Dawkins, there should have been something that would be responsible for the development of mental abilities. It is this “something” that the scientist christened the meme.
What are memes?
If you are asked this question, start your story by saying that the ancient Greek word “mimesis”, which translates as “imitation,” is taken as the basis of the term. In fact, a meme is a kind of mental virus, which is confirmed by the methods of its distribution. The meme “goes to the people” through literary texts, films, jokes, advertising slogans, songs, comics etc.
In order to understand what memes are, it is necessary to understand their main function - it consists precisely in distribution. Do not forget also that in the process of transferring memes can be transformed. We can say that they participate in a kind of natural selection: the most viable memes instantly become popular and exist in the minds of people for a very long time, and the weak ones are quickly forgotten.
Spread
How does the natural selection mentioned above occur ? All memes are pure information that theoretically may interest a person or an entire social group. The more participants will be included in this group, the stronger and more active the meme will be. An example is religion: a certain idea captures the imagination of a group of people. From now on, their main task becomes the translation of this idea to the masses, and the more they discuss it, the more powerful the meme becomes. Think about it: this description exactly corresponds to the spread of the idea of God. No one knows exactly how it came about, but there is no doubt that for certain social groups the idea of God seems very attractive.
It provides answers to seemingly insoluble questions and allows you to justify your own existence. In addition, most of the existing religions are based on the idea that after the death of a person awaits a reward in the form of eternal bliss. It is not surprising, therefore, that this meme is so widespread and capable of influencing the consciousness of the masses.