A meme is an idea, image, trend, or piece of information that spreads through the culture—from an iconic garment to catchphrases, cat emojis, and gifs online.
The word meme is derived from the Greek word mimeme, as in imitated thing. The term was popularized by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his book, The Selfish Gene, as a cultural corollary to the biological transmission of genetic information via genes and genetic recombination.
Dawkins, however, is not the first to consider the meme. The German zoologist and evolutionary biologist Richard Wolfgang Semon, for one, wrote about "mnemes," from the muse of memory Greek goddess Mneme, in the early 1900s. There’s an argument that memes evolve via natural selection, just as in biological evolution, with less successful memes dying out, or becoming extinct.
A meme is an idea, behavior, or piece of culture that has the capacity to replicate into future generations. It can be thought of as the basic unit of replication for cultural evolution .
Key Takeaways
- Memes affects mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Understanding memes is the first step toward managing it
- Evidence-based approaches can significantly improve outcomes
- Building daily habits is more effective than one-time interventions
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is memes?
A meme is an idea, image, trend, or piece of information that spreads through the culture—from an iconic garment to catchphrases, cat emojis, and gifs online.
Is memes a serious condition?
Memes exists on a spectrum. While mild forms are a normal part of life, persistent or severe memes can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. It's important to seek professional support if memes is interfering with work, relationships, or wellbeing.
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