Memes

[Testy Calibrate]

Don't know if this goes here or maybe in politics, but, given that a few of the philosophy regulars I know have some background interest in the topic:
https://www.cbinsights.com/research/future-of-information-warfare/

In internet-speak the word “meme” often refers to an amusing picture that goes viral on social media. More broadly, however, a meme is any idea that spreads, whether that idea is true or false.

It is this broader definition of meme that Finklestein had in mind when he proposed the Meme Control Center and his idea of “memetic warfare.”

...

Basically, Dr. Finklestein’s Meme Control Center would pump the internet full of “memes” that would benefit the national security of the United States.

Finkelstein saw a future in which guns and bombs are replaced by rumor, digital fakery, and social engineering.

Interesting article for a lot of reasons. Not least of which is the fairly high expected utility of using the meme concept and the obvious failure of that approach once others get in the game and the landscape becomes overrun. Sort of a twisted version of a tragedy of the commons.

 

[Bronzeage]

A really good meme celebrates cognitive dissonance's victory over the intellect.

 

[skepticalbip]

“memetic warfare” is far, far from a new idea. It may be a new name but it has probably existed as long as civilization. Joseph Goebbels was a master of it, the Roman empire used it to convince "the mob" that Germanic tribes (or indeed, any non-Roman) were savages, the Greeks and Persians both demonized each other with "memes".

What Finklestein is suggesting was called the office of propaganda during the first and second world wars.

 

[untermensche]

“memetic warfare” is far, far from a new idea. It may be a new name but it has probably existed as long as civilization. Joseph Goebbels was a master of it, the Roman empire used it to convince "the mob" that Germanic tribes (or indeed, any non-Roman) were savages, the Greeks and Persians both demonized each other with "memes".

I agree.

Calling ideas "memes" doesn't add anything to the concept.