The Off Topic Topic

[LaCroix]

meme is just a name for how weird internet culture operates. while the word has an actual meaning that doesn't fit its modern day usage, you see that with tons of words. internet "memes" don't refer to dawkins's meme.

[Jaron]

I think memes just annoy Raz and he is being grumpy about it. I think memes are wonderful and funny and let people showcase their creativity.

It truly is one of the great social innovations of this century. A way to share our ideas and humor in a way that is very easy to identify with.

I am not super familiar with meme theory so I really can't comment on that, but if this many people say it is a meme then it is so.

[Syt]

From an old thread on the CivFanatic forums:

[Malthus]

So what would you prefer it be called when there is something that is slightly odd, that a large group of people treat sort of as an in-joke for a while until it gets stale?

You mean "after it gets stale". 

[Razgovory]

meme is just a name for how weird internet culture operates. while the word has an actual meaning that doesn't fit its modern day usage, you see that with tons of words. internet "memes" don't refer to dawkins's meme.

I'm fairly certain that it has it's origins in Dawkin's word, and it's usage is an attempt to describe what he thought a "meme" was.  An idea that modifies as it moves from person to person not because the person modifies it but because it modifies itself... somehow (this is sort of where the theory fell apart.)

[Razgovory]

So what would you prefer it be called when there is something that is slightly odd, that a large group of people treat sort of as an in-joke for a while until it gets stale?

How about a "Hitler", "Child-molester", or a "motherfucker".  Are any of those terms used for anything?

[LaCroix]

I'm fairly certain that it has it's origins in Dawkin's word, and it's usage is an attempt to describe what he thought a "meme" was.

the first person who used it incorrectly by applying the word to the internet phenomenon, yeah. your beef is with him. but all the other people? at this point, you can't change the name. it's all over the place. maybe really, really early on there might have been enough force to change it from "meme" to something else, but now it's become a common expression. therefore, "meme" has a new definition. imagine a dictionary: meme = (1) dawkins's meme, (2) internet meme.

[garbon]

I'm fairly certain that it has it's origins in Dawkin's word, and it's usage is an attempt to describe what he thought a "meme" was.

the first person who used it incorrectly by applying the word to the internet phenomenon, yeah. your beef is with him. but all the other people? at this point, you can't change the name. it's all over the place. maybe really, really early on there might have been enough force to change it from "meme" to something else, but now it's become a common expression. therefore, "meme" has a new definition. imagine a dictionary: meme = (1) dawkins's meme, (2) internet meme.

Well look what homosexuals did with stealing 'gay' and 'rainbows'!

[garbon]

or a "motherfucker".  Are any of those terms used for anything?

This one seems counter to your point given that most people don't use that literally.

[Brazen]

Shocking statistic: there are more CEOs called Andrew or Andy than there are women.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/shortcuts/2015/sep/29/want-to-get-ahead-in-business-be-man-called-andrew

[Valmy]

Damn it! I named my sons the wrong name.

[Monoriu]

Damn it! I named my sons the wrong name.

It isn't too late to change them 

[Barrister]

Damn it! I named my sons the wrong name.

In your face, Flanders! 




Though if you look at the article, if you chose a different set of huge companies David comes out on top.

[Valmy]

Yet Henry is barely mentioned

Also the article suggests in order to really have a leg up  they needed to be born in the 50s or 60s.

[Eddie Teach]

Yeah, their CEOs will have names like Tyler and Brandon.