The Original Definition of Meme

MEME.. MEME... YOU CAME UP WITH THE WORD TELL ME AND THE ANALOG OF THE GENE AND CERTAIN MEMES ANYTHING THAT IS SELF-REPLICATING. IF THAT SPREADS BECAUSE IT'S A IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT IT IS– EXACTLY!

A short edited podcast-style video alternates between Neil deGrasse Tyson and Richard Dawkins discussing the original meaning of “meme” as a self-replicating unit of cultural inheritance. The joke is that Dawkins gives the rigorous definition while Tyson enthusiastically realizes that anything spreading—including a possibly true or false rumor—is a successful meme, ending with “Exactly!” It works as a reaction to the viral spread of internet jokes, rumors, or ideas.

You came up with the word meme. That was in the selfish genes. That was in the selfish genes. You invented the word and people long forgot. Tell me the authentic definition of meme, because that's not how anybody's using it today. Unit of cultural inheritance, and the analog of the gene in cultural inheritance. This is communicated from one person to another. Yes. And certain memes have higher communicability. It didn't have to be genes. It could be anything that is self-replicating. So if I say something, we have alligators in the New York City subway. If that spreads because it's a repeatable lie, or even might be true, whatever it is. If it spreads. Whatever it is, doesn't matter what it is. Doesn't matter. If it spreads, then it's a successful meme. It's so interesting to me. I have to tell someone else. Exactly. Exactly.

• @pokupkabitka / 43145 2024-07-28