The Selfish Gene: 40th Anniversary edition (Oxford Landmark Science) — 11. Memes: The new replicators

1. 1. Cultural transmission in humans is analogous to genetic evolution but occurs orders of magnitude faster.
2. 2. A meme is a unit of cultural transmission that replicates by leaping from brain to brain via imitation.
3. 3. The god meme has high survival value due to its psychological appeal, providing answers to existential questions and comfort against inadequacies.
4. 4. Memes, like genes, are subject to natural selection based on longevity, fecundity, and copying-fidelity.
5. 5. Memes can form co-adapted complexes, such as organized religion, where mutually reinforcing memes like god, hellfire, and faith evolve together.
6. 6. Celibacy as a meme can be successful even though a gene for celibacy would be selected against, because it frees time for meme transmission.
7. 7. Humans can rebel against the tyranny of selfish replicators through conscious foresight and genuine altruism.