Who Coined the Term "Meme"?

[SUNSHINE]

The term "meme" has become a cornerstone of internet culture, but where did it originate? Coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, the term was intended to describe how cultural ideas, behaviors, or trends spread and evolve similarly to genes. How has the meaning of "meme" evolved over time—from a concept in biology to humorous images and videos that dominate online platforms? What does this shift say about how ideas spread in the digital age compared to traditional cultural transmission?

 

[Amber]

The term "meme" has become a cornerstone of internet culture, but where did it originate? Coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, the term was intended to describe how cultural ideas, behaviors, or trends spread and evolve similarly to genes. How has the meaning of "meme" evolved over time—from a concept in biology to humorous images and videos that dominate online platforms? What does this shift say about how ideas spread in the digital age compared to traditional cultural transmission?

What an insightful exploration of the term "meme"! It's fascinating to see how its evolution reflects our changing communication styles and the rapid spread of ideas in the digital age.

 

[Aesthatic girl]

The term "meme" was coined by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene to describe the spread of cultural ideas.

 

[helena]

The term "meme" was coined by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene to describe the spread of cultural ideas.

Exactly! It’s amazing how that concept evolved to shape internet culture today.