Reference no: EM133238274
From "Memes in a Digital World: Reconciling with a Conceptual Troublemaker"
Limor Shifman
The term meme was introduced by the biologist Richard Dawkins in his book The Selfish Gene (1976). As part of his larger effort to apply evolutionary theory to cultural change, Dawkins defined memes as small cultural units of transmission, analogous to genes, which are spread from person to person by copying or imitation. Examples of memes in his pioneering text include specific signifiers such as melodies, catchphrases, and clothing fashions, as well as abstract beliefs (for instance, the concept of God). Like genes, memes are defined as replicators that undergo variation, competition, selection, and retention. At any given moment, many memes are competing for the attention of hosts; however, only memes suited to their sociocultural environment spread successfully, while others become extinct (Chielens & Heylighen, 2005).
Question 1: Design a meme in which they take into account the importance of using a kind of rhetoric that promotes inclusion, diversity, respect, and civic engagement. Students select the topic (a social issue) they want to address in their meme as well as the kind of message they want to convey to their audience , consider the manner of discourse you are choosing to implement in meme.
Question 2: have to be incredibly cautious as enter into this visual discourse on a social or cultural topic. Be thoughtful about the images, statements, perspectives, messaging that you employ.
Question 3: post meme. need reflection paper, explaining specific details of the meme (colors, lettering, images, etc.) and connecting the reading "Strong Democratic Society" by Benjamin R. Barber.