MEME

Yesterday I talked about mimes . . . today it's memes.  Memes are modern.  You may have seen them mentioned in the news and wondered what they were talking about.  It is hard to put your finger on exactly what they are. 

First of all, it is pronounced 'meem'.  Basically, a meme is an idea.  Much time has been put into the study of memes.  Most people agree that a meme is similar to a gene.  Ideas are passed from one person to the next just like genes are passed from one generation to the next.  The result is never exactly like the original but always similar.  Changes are caused by environment as well as chance.  They are controlled by a big game of 'telephone.'

Social scientists study the changing mores of society and relate them to memes.  Who starts a meme?  Writers, artists, politicians, bloggers . . . anyone with an audience.  The thoughts you are thinking now may effect what you do or say even if you don't repeat the actual words.  The meme is out there.  When it is valued enough by those who hear it, the idea can spread so widely we say it is viral. 

Now you know what a meme is.  Don't blame it on me.  I didn't meme to do it.
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