Dynamemes

Dynamemes are a concept within memetics, the study of how cultural information spreads. Unlike traditional memes which are seen as discrete units of information, dynamemes are characterized by their inherent dynamism and variability. They are not static ideas or images but rather evolving patterns of thought and behavior that adapt and transform as they propagate through a population.

The term "dynameme" was coined to acknowledge that cultural transmission is rarely a perfect copy. Instead, information is often modified, reinterpreted, or combined with other information as it is passed from one person to another. This process of change is central to the dynameme. Think of a rumor that changes slightly with each retelling, or a popular song that gets remixed by different artists. These are examples of dynamemes in action.

The study of dynamemes focuses on the mechanisms of this change. Researchers examine how social interactions, cognitive biases, and environmental factors influence the evolution of cultural information. Understanding dynamemes helps explain why some ideas become widespread and persistent while others fade away, and how cultural landscapes are constantly shifting. It suggests that cultural evolution is not a linear process but a complex, adaptive system.