MEMETICS
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 2065 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Human sciences |
The study of the way memes translate from one individual to others, and of their effects.
R. DAWKINS, who introduced the concept of memes, and Susan BLACKMORE are the main promoters of memetics, which appears to be on its way to become a new discipline. It seeks to investigate the ways memes appear, become accepted and spread after the crossing of a critical threshold . (M. GLADWELL, 2000).
As such, it seems to point toward a deep reworking of some of our psychological and sociological concepts and models . It is obvious for example that religious beliefs , or ideologies , rumors and even fashions and fads do propagate in ways similar toepidemics .
According to a recent article by Susan BLACKMORE (1999, p.40-44), it could also lead to new insights about the deeper meaning of Buddhist psychology.
Memetics seems as well related to the “mindbugs ” described by J. WARFIELD.
They are originally at least in part a biological metaphor, which could of course be in time elevated to the level of a workable analogy, leading to useful conceptual isomorphisms.
See also
Clanthink, Effects (Herd), Network, Percolation, Propagule, Runaway process, Small world