Richard Dawkins introduced the concept of MEME in his 1976 work "The Selfish Gene." The word is derived from the Greek "mimema," meaning "that which is imitated," representing the basic unit of cultural transmission.
Definition of MEME#
Dawkins defined it as the basic unit of cultural information or imitation, writing:
"We need a new word to describe the basic unit of cultural transmission, or the unit of imitation. I would like to call it MEME."
The word was shortened to "MEME," pronounced similarly to "cream" or "team." In the Chinese context, there is a very fitting term "梗，" which includes playing memes, meme images, etc.
The Role of MEME#
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MEME is a "replicator of the mind," similar to the role of genes in living organisms.
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Genes spread through heredity, while MEMEs spread through imitation in human thought and culture.
Examples of MEME#
Dawkins provided various examples of MEMEs, including:
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Song melodies
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Oral proverbs
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Fashion trends
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Architectural styles
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Religious beliefs
Transmission and Evolution#
The transmission of MEMEs occurs through imitation, not heredity:
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Variation: During transmission, MEMEs may be adapted or modified, resulting in new forms.
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Competition: Different MEMEs compete for attention, and only the most attractive or adaptive MEMEs can spread widely.
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Replication: Successful MEMEs are imitated and passed on to more people.
Survival of MEME#
Dawkins emphasized that the survival of a MEME is not determined by its "truthfulness" or "beneficiality," but rather by its ability to spread. For example, some religious beliefs or superstitions lack scientific basis but persist due to strong transmission mechanisms.
Analogy between MEME and Gene#
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Gene: Spreads through the replication mechanism of DNA, determining the physiological traits of organisms.
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MEME: Spreads through human imitation and learning, determining the transmission and evolution of culture.
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Commonality: Both are "replicators" that continue through competition and selection.