The Difference Between Genes And Memes

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Recommended: History of human evolution

There must be very few people from biology or evolutionary background who are not aware of the work of Charles Darwin. Charles Darwin proposed that evolution occurs through the process of natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which species adapt to their environment in order to survive. Species evolve from one to the next through random genetic mutation, if the said mutation is beneficial then it is preserved and is passed down to the next generation to help with the survival of that species. As these mutations build up over time, they result in a completely different organism. The main premise for his theory is that all creatures are interrelated genetically to a varying degree and that we all share a common ancestor from whom we evolved over time. Richard Dawkins came up with a slightly similar theory as Darwin about mimetics. Memes, as Dawkins described in his book The Selfish Gene, is an idea, trend, or behaviour that transmits from one person to another. These memes could be tunes, catch- phrases, clothes fashion, slangs, etc…. Genes are passed down from one person to the next through reproduction of a sperm and an egg; whereas, memes are passed on from one brain to another through the
Memes, however, could be passed down from anyone, regardless of their relationship. Due to this reason, memes also spread a lot faster than genes as there are no restrictions on how many people can acquire a meme. Genes (DNA) is not very flexible, and must go under several mutations for it to change dramatically. However, memes are very flexible and undergo variation much easily. Due to this reason, memes evolve much quicker than genes, which is clear in cultural evolutions around the world. Natural selection of genes occur for increased sexual reproductibility, whereas memes are positively selected for their increased communicability of

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