The Meme Machine – Susan Blackmore – 1999, Granta Books
The Meme Machine by Susan Blackmore
Susan Blackmore’s The Meme Machine, published in 1999, explores the concept of memes as units of cultural transmission, analogous to genes in biological evolution. Blackmore argues that just as genes replicate and evolve through natural selection, memes—ideas, behaviors, styles, and skills—replicate and evolve through a process of cultural selection. The book proposes that human beings are not the masters of our cultures, but rather ‘meme machines’ – vehicles for the propagation of these self-replicating units.
Historical / Cultural Context
Blackmore’s work builds upon the foundational ideas of Richard Dawkins, who coined the term “meme” in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. However, Blackmore significantly expands on Dawkins’ initial concept. While Dawkins presented memes as a thought experiment to illustrate evolutionary principles, Blackmore takes the idea more seriously, arguing for the genuine evolutionary processes happening within culture. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw increasing interest in evolutionary psychology and the application of evolutionary principles to explain human behavior beyond biology. This book arrived during a time when anxieties about cultural homogeneity and the power of media were also rising, and it offered a framework for understanding how ideas spread and exert influence, sometimes independent of conscious intention. The internet and the rapid spread of digital content have, arguably, only made Blackmore’s arguments more relevant in the 21st century, leading to discussions about ‘viral’ content and internet memes.
Who This Book Is For
This work is accessible to a general audience interested in evolutionary theory, cultural studies, and psychology. It’s of particular interest to those who are curious about how ideas spread, why certain cultural trends take hold, and the relationship between culture and the human mind. While not requiring a background in genetics or evolutionary biology, readers with some familiarity with those concepts will likely find the book more easily digestible. Academics in fields such as memetics (a field largely spawned by this work), sociology, anthropology, and cognitive science also find this book a key text.
Further Reading
- The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins: The original source for the concept of the meme.
- Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge by E.O. Wilson: Explores the interconnectedness of different fields of knowledge, including biology and culture.
- Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini: Examines the psychological principles that drive persuasion and social influence, relevant to understanding meme transmission.
Disclaimer.
Oraclepedia is an independent educational and cultural project. The material presented explores myths, belief systems, symbolic traditions, and aspects of human perception from historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives.
Content is provided for informational and reflective purposes only and does not promote specific beliefs, spiritual practices, or ideological positions. Interpretations presented reflect scholarly, cultural, or symbolic analysis rather than factual claims about the natural world.