Introduction to Memetic Engineering

One of the most pivotal books I encountered in my youth was "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins. This book profoundly impacted me for two key reasons. Firstly, it illuminated the nature of our existence, showing how we have evolved in a very specific environmental context on our planet. If that context were to change, humanity would cease to exist.

Life's Fragility

Reflecting on our dependency on a favorable environment, I recall a leisurely day spent at a picturesque beach in Cornwall. I lounged on the lush thrift overlooking the shore, watching as the tide pulled back, revealing vibrant rock pools filled with stranded creatures like crabs and minnows. These little beings thrived in their temporary watery homes, warmed by sunlight, awaiting the tide's return, reminiscent of a caring guardian.

We, too, are akin to those trapped creatures, often oblivious to how our survival relies on maintaining the right ecological conditions. This realization has fueled my lifelong dedication to environmental advocacy.

While "The Selfish Gene" is an outstanding book, I find Dawkins's atheism somewhat bleak. As an agnostic, I yearn to believe, as my parents did, in a benevolent higher power, though I remain uncertain.

The second reason "The Selfish Gene" resonated with me was its final chapter. Unlike many authors who seem drained by their narratives' end, Dawkins's concluding insights are among the most enlightening, akin to the revelations sparked by mescaline for Aldous Huxley. For me, this epiphany came from the term meme, a concept Dawkins introduced to define a unit of cultural evolution.

The Evolution of Ideas

The idea that concepts can evolve similarly to biological organisms is captivating. Dawkins introduced the term "meme" in 1976, not anticipating its widespread adoption in modern culture and social media.

His insights could be summarized as "On the Origin of Theses," highlighting the parallels between the evolution of ideas and biological processes.

A meme can be understood as a unit of cultural imitation. Dawkins explained his choice of terminology as follows:

> "We need a name for the new replicator, a noun that conveys the idea of a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation. 'Mimeme' comes from a suitable Greek root, but I want a monosyllable that sounds a bit like 'gene'. I hope my classicist friends will forgive me if I abbreviate mimeme to *meme*."

It's crucial to note that when Dawkins speaks of the selfish gene, he does not imply a gene that promotes selfish behavior. Instead, he refers to how natural selection influences the replication of genes and their transmission to subsequent generations. Until human consciousness emerged, evolution was a blind process.

Darwin's Groundbreaking Theory

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution comprises three essential elements: variation, selection, and heredity. Traits that enhance survival in a specific environment tend to proliferate, while those that do not are less likely to be passed on.

Philosopher Daniel Dennett likens evolution to an algorithm, suggesting it can be "mindless." He describes evolution as:

> "…a scheme for creating Design out of Chaos without the aid of Mind." The semblance of design emerges from the random selection process acting on replicators. Although we cannot predict evolutionary outcomes, we can observe the deep and beautiful laws governing this unpredictable process.

The Memetic Ecosystem

Just as living beings are chosen through a survival process, ideas are also subjected to selection, leading to varying degrees of success. Since human consciousness has evolved, genetic and memetic evolution have progressed in tandem, influencing one another.

Susan Blackmore expands on the concept of memes in her book "The Meme Machine":

> "When you imitate someone else, something is passed on. This 'something' can then be passed on again, and again, and so take on a life of its own."

Blackmore emphasizes:

> "Memes are instructions for carrying out behavior, stored in brains (or other objects) and passed on by imitation. Their competition drives the evolution of the mind."

Our capacity to imitate encompasses ideas, language, customs, skills, and more, allowing memes to compete for attention within our minds and cultures. While genes propagate through generations, memes can spread both vertically and horizontally, with phenomena like trends or songs disseminating through imitation. Memes can exist independently of biological hosts, manifesting in books, recorded music, and films.

The Dynamics of Meme Propagation

In the preface of Blackmore’s work, Dawkins illustrates how a meme can spread:

> "When I was about nine, my father taught me to fold a square of paper to make an origami Chinese junk….I went back to school and infected my friends with the skill, and it then spread around the school with the speed of the measles."

In this instance, the meme is the set of folding instructions, not the origami itself. Many readers can likely recall similar trends from their childhood, where memes proliferated in a receptive culture. A song like "Happy Birthday" exemplifies a meme with global recognition, replicated by countless individuals.

The Mutation of Memes

Just as genes can mutate, so can memes. Occasionally, a cultural unit may not be copied accurately, leading to alterations that can either enhance or diminish its appeal. This phenomenon can resemble the game of "Chinese Whispers," where the final outcome diverges significantly from the original, sometimes resulting in something unexpectedly beneficial.

Blackmore notes:

> "Remember that the same shorthand applies to memes as to genes. We can say that memes are 'selfish', that they 'do not care', that they 'want' to propagate themselves, and so on, when all we mean is that successful memes are the ones that get copied and spread, while unsuccessful ones do not."

Memes in Society

Memes indiscriminately spread, regardless of their utility or potential harm. A brilliant idea may gain traction due to its usefulness, while catchy tunes may circulate for their entertainment value. However, harmful memes, such as scams or misleading information, can also proliferate effortlessly.

Blackmore elaborates:

> "There are many reasons why some memes succeed and others fail. First, there is the nature of human beings as imitators and selectors…."

This exploration of memes and their dynamics leads us to consider how we can apply memetic theory to our writing.

Integrating Memetic Concepts into Writing

You may wonder how these theoretical ideas translate into practical applications for writing. The essence is that our articles function as memes, and if they are substantial, they become a collection of memes.

Some articles flourish while others languish unnoticed. For a piece to be successful, it must be memorable and engaging, akin to an earworm, lingering in the reader's mind. As my daughters can attest, I possess an uncanny talent for being annoyingly catchy!

The Importance of Volume

In keeping with my beach memory, I recall another author (Jason Provencio) comparing writing a multitude of articles to setting crab traps. You never know which article might resonate with readers and go viral. I have penned over 500 articles, yet only one has truly gained traction, often surprising since it wasn't my personal favorite.

Volume is essential. Just as some species produce numerous offspring to ensure survival, writers should generate many pieces of content. The unpredictability of algorithms and public interest means that sometimes, sheer volume is key.

Creating Stickiness

Beyond quantity, we desire our articles to gain traction, ideally becoming so compelling that readers share them widely. Dawkins and Blackmore highlight this attribute, referring to it as "stickiness." Memorable phrases or catchy advertisements can enter the lexicon, becoming part of everyday language.

Unexpectedly sticky memes can emerge, like the viral sea shanty "The Wellerman," which captivated audiences during the pandemic.

We strive for our articles to be as sticky as glue, as ingenious as Velcro, spreading widely and capturing attention. Making our content visually appealing with striking images and well-organized formatting can enhance its shareability.

Survival Strategies in Writing

In refining our craft, it's valuable to consider the survival strategies of animals. Adaptation is crucial in nature, whether through the blind hand of evolution or conscious human efforts. "Survival of the fittest" often misconstrued, actually signifies the survival of those best suited to their environment.

Writing, too, requires constant adaptation. As platforms adjust their algorithms, writers must respond, refining their approach. Adaptations, whether large or small, can significantly affect success.

Embracing Competition and Cooperation

Evolutionary pressures lead to the development of advantageous traits in animals, such as speed or camouflage. Writers, too, face competition, whether from external threats or the need to stand out in a crowded space. However, cooperation can also yield benefits.

On platforms like Medium, writers can collaborate, supporting one another through interactions like reading, highlighting, and commenting. This spirit of collaboration fosters a community bound by shared goals.

Publications as Super-Memes

If we view ideas as memes and articles as collections of memes, then publications can be seen as super-memes, representing the pinnacle of collaborative writing. Like successful articles, publications can thrive or wither, benefiting writers through increased exposure and engagement.

Conclusion

Summaries often bear a negative connotation due to the prevalence of mediocre AI-generated content. Nevertheless, I will adhere to best practices.

What can we learn from evolutionary theory and Dawkins's groundbreaking concept of memes as writers? Consistency, quality, humor, collaboration, and adaptability are crucial. Each small refinement, akin to the evolution of the eye, can lead to greater success in our writing endeavors.

As I reflect on the beach, where I watched the tide return, I am reminded of the importance of preserving our niche in the world. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.

Join my new Facebook group "Medium Matters" to support fellow writers and share articles. Mastodon - you can find me here.