Memes

Memes are curious things. See Richard Dawkwins' book "The Selfish Gene." for an explanation. That's a meme. Alternately, see the Anders Sandberg Meme page. That's another meme.

I wonder if there are anti-memes? I think there are. They're ideas that refute other ideas.

Imagine, for example, the meme for fire. First, there's the idea that fire exists. Then there are explanations for the mechanics of fire. Some of these memes will succeed (chemistry), while others die (phlogiston).

Now imagine that some people take an interest in the success of these memes. Instead of seeking the truth, they seek to promote one meme and denigrate another. One meme is the anti-meme of the other.

Fire is so ubiquitous that nobody doubts its existance or usefulness.