1 Memetics: An Introduction Vivek Kumar Singh J.K. Institute of Applied Physics & Technology University of Allahabad

2 Outline of the lecture 1. Memes and Memetics: Explanation of the Terms 2. History and Introduction 3. Memes: The Second Replicators 4. Memes Vs. Genes 5. The Memetic Life-cycle 6. Meme Fitness 7. Memetic Selection Criteria 8. Application Areas: Evolution of Culture Consciousness in the Alternate Media Evolutionary Computing: Memetic Algorithms Memes on the Net: Towards a Global Brain 9. Limitations Meme Structure Physical Instantiation Neural Basis 10. References

3 Meme & Memetics: Explanation of the terms Meme : A cognitive or behavioural pattern that can be transmitted from one individual to another. Memetics : The theoretical and empirical science that studies the replication, spread and evolution of memes.

4 History and Introduction Pioneered by Richard Dawkins in Universal Darwinism- Evolution not only of species but also of culture, immune system etc. Memes- replicators of cultural information, analogous to genes. Memetics- An extension of Darwinian evolution to culture.

5 Memes: The Second Replicators Replicator- a physical entity that makes copies of itself. Characteristics of a successful replicator: Longevity Fecundity Fidelity

6 Memes Vs Genes Genes-Vertical transmission only. Memes-Both vertical & horizontal transmission. Memes spread much faster than Genes. Memes have much higher fecundity than Genes. Copying fidelity of memes is much lower than that of Genes. Meme carrier does not need to be killed in order to eliminate an inappropriate meme. Memes and Genes have different selection criteria.

7 Memetic Life-cycle Assimilation - A successful meme must be able to infect a new host. Retention -Memes must remain in the memory for some time. Expression -To be communicated the meme must be expressed as a physical entity. Transmission -The expression is transmitted through a physical carrier or medium.

8 Meme Fitness The overall survival and proliferation rate of a meme. Average number of memes at time t divided by average number of memes at time t-1. In simplified form meme fitness F(m): F(m)= A(m) x R(m) x E(m) x T(m) where, A(m)- Fitness of assimilation. R(m)- Fitness of retention. E(m)- Fitness of expression. T(m)- Fitness of transmission.

9 Memetic Selection Criteria Meme centered criteria- Selection on the level of meme itself, depend on internal structure of the meme. Subjective criteria- Selection by the subject who assimilates the meme. Intersubjective criteria- Selection through interaction between different subjects. Objective criteria- Selection by phenomena independent of hosts and memes involved.

10 Criteria __________ Stages Meme Centered Criteria Subjective Criteria Intersubjec tive Criteria Objective Criteria Assimilatio n Self- Justificatio n Novelty Simplicity Coherence Authority Formality Distinctiven ess Retention Self- reinforcement Tolerance Coherence Utility Conformity Invariance Controllabilit y Expression Proseylitsm Expressivit y Transmissi on Proseylitsm Publicity

11 Application Areas Evolution of Culture Darwinian approach- Replication, random variation, survival of fittest. Neo-Darwinian approach- used the concept of genes. Universal Darwinism- Evolution of Culture

12 Genetic & Memetic Scenarios for Evolution of Cooperation A fundamental problem in evolution of culture is to explain how cooperation and altruism can emerge during evolution. Both Genetic and Memetic frameworks try to explain it but Genetic framework has some limitations. Memetic framework answers this criticism. Group selection Kin Selection Reciprocal Altruism Moralism

13 Meme-based Models of the Mind: Consciousness in Alternate Media We are nothing more than physically based meme systems. Human’s capacity for virtual wiring. Auto-stimulatory feedback loops. Serial thought process in Computers. Mind, as physical information processing system, can exist within electronic media.

14 Evolutionary Computing: Memetic Algorithms Evolutionary algorithms are search and optimization procedures inspired by natural evolution. Memetic Algorithms are E.A.s with memetic framework.

15 Memes on the Net: Towards a global Brain Media by which a meme is communicated will greatly influence its eventual spread. Networks have much higher fecundity, longevity and fidelity and transcend geographical & cultural boundaries. Infosphere, Physical world and Cyberspace. Cyberspace will eventually contain the entirety of human knowledge.

16 Limitations Elements and units that make up a meme are difficult to define. No clear picture of Physical instantiation in the brain. Actual neural processes in memetic life-cycle are not precisely known.

17 References F. Heylighen, Nov. 2001, Principia Cybernetika Web, Journal of Memetics- Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission, Vol. 1-7, Richard Brodie, 2002, Meme Central, Richard Dawkins, 1976, The Selfish Gene, Oxford University Press Susan Blackmore, 1999, The Meme Machine, Oxford University Press Joshua S. Lateiner, 1992, Meme-based models of mind and the possibility for Consciousness in alternate media, Man Mind and Machine Liane Gabora, 1997, The origin and evolution of Culture and Creativity, JOM-EMIT Vol. 1 Issue 1 Liane Gabora, Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying the Origin and Evolution of Culture, Doctoral Thesis,

18 Thank You