Richard Dawkins (theory of memes)

Richard Dawkins introduced the concept of "memes" in his 1976 book "The Selfish Gene." He proposed that memes are units of cultural information or ideas that spread from person to person, much like genes transmit biological information. Examples include phrases, fashion trends, and beliefs. Memes compete for attention and can evolve as they are shared, changing over time. This theory suggests that cultural evolution occurs similarly to biological evolution, with successful memes replicating and circulating widely, influencing society and individual thoughts along the way.