If you are an avid user of the Internet, certainly not once, not twice faced the vast network buzzword "meme."However, one may ask, no one can really explain who owns the term, and that means he does.So what is a meme?Let's try to understand this together.
history memes
Few people know that the author of this term is an Oxford professor of biology Richard Dokinz.Imenno he alerted humanity of the existence of so-called "viral meme."In response to the question "What is a meme?" The scientist explained that in the early stages of evolution of man could only survive if you had the strength and endurance.Gradually, these qualities were improved and fixed in the genes, but in proportion as civilization progressed, the physical data on the back burner.Now the first place was occupied by the human intellect.Consequently, according to Dawkins, there must have been something that would be responsible for the development of mental abilities.It is this "something" is a scholar and christened meme.
What memes?
If you are asked this question, begin the story with the fact that the term is taken as a basis for the ancient Greek word "mimesis", which translates as "imitation."In fact, the meme is a kind of mental virus, which is confirmed by means of its spread.Mem "goes to the people" through literary texts, movies, jokes, advertising slogans, songs, comics, etc.
In order to understand what memes need to understand their primary function - it is precisely in the spread.Do not forget that during the transmission of memes can be transformed.We can say that they are involved in a kind of natural selection: the most viable memes instantly become popular and there in people's minds for a long time, and the weak - rather quickly forgotten.
Distribution
How does the above-mentioned natural selection?All memy are pure information that theoretically may be interested in a person or an entire social group.The greater the number of participants will be included in this group, the stronger and more active is the meme.As an example of religion: some idea captures the imagination of people.From now on, their main task is the translation of this idea into the masses, and the more they discuss it, the more powerful it becomes a meme.Think about it: that description corresponds exactly to the dissemination of ideas about God.None do not know exactly how it occurred, but there is no doubt that certain social groups, the idea of God is very attractive.It gives answers to seemingly insoluble problems and allows to justify its own existence.In addition, the majority of currently existing religions are based on the idea that after death will be rewarded in the form of eternal bliss.It is not surprising, therefore, that this meme is so widespread and is able to influence the minds of the masses.
