Susan Blackmore 1999 The Meme Machine. Oxford: University Press.
Dr. Blackmore's The Meme Machine is not my first encounter with meme theory (or memetics), and indeed not the first work to explore some of the ideas and repercussions that a second replicator implies, but the clarity and depth make this not only an ideal introduction to meme theory, but also a spring board for more specific exploration and study of the ideas presented. From the modelling of social and political trends through memetics to a psychotherapy with memetic principles, rather than a meme driven psychotherapy, this exposition to memetics not only breaks new ground, but also anticipates and successfully negates some of the criticisms later works than this level at memetics. Blackmore's thinking is exact, and despite the lack of experimental data the foundations seem solid, Blackmore takes to task not only sociobiologists but also her memetic peers in aiming for a rigourous theory.
Blackmore begins by clearly explaining the evolution by replicator, with reference to genetics, the first and only recognised replicator until Dawkins suggested that a second might exist, in an offhand comment in The Selfish Gene.
For the evolution of a replicator (ie. Something that can create
copies of itself) there must be variations of the replicator. There
must be selection (some variations are more successful, some disappear)
and there must be retention, or hereditary; something is passed on in
the copy (100% retention, would be a perfect copy).
Given these conditions, evolution is inevitable; Blackmore uses Dennett's term The evolutionary algorithm (Dennett 1995).
Some types of replicator will be more successful than others, there will be competition, some replicators will do better than others. Dawkins coined the term Selfish Gene, (1979) but there is no intention – the conditions simply lead to this – it's a dangerous shorthand, and Blackmore falls into this trap talking about memes that want to copy themselves, that want to be successful. She's aware of the language issue, but it's still easy to misread her words and supply intention where there is none; simply an evolutionary algorithm. Given the conditions outlined above, it simply happens.
Blackmore rigorously applies the rules of this algorithm to memetics – but first she has to define a meme, and it is simply this – the first meme began when the ability to imitate evolved. (Blackmore suggests only humans have this ability). The thing that is imitated? That's the meme. The thing that gets copied, from one person to another, to another – perhaps to a letter, or a book, and then to many more people. This review, this sentence, this word, these letters...each of these are memes; the latter more successful than the former (it is unlikely this review will travel far, but the alphabet is highly successful).
Wikipedia notes that "[Blackmore's] prediction on the central role played by imitation as the cultural replicator and the neural structures that must be unique to humans necessary to support them have recently been confirmed by research on mirror neurons and the differences in extent of these structures between humans and our closest ape relations."
In The Meme Machine Blackmore compares memetics to existing sociobiology theories, and finds that a second replicator answers questions they cannot. She uses the framework of memetics to suggest answers to the great questions of the origin of language and the human brain these are theoretically watertight, but with little experimental evidence to support them.
In all of these explorations the memes appear to take on a life of their own, to the extent (she suggests) of influencing genetic selection. This appearance, the selfish meme is just that, an illusion of intention (or self...) that occurs under the correct conditions. Progress without conciousness.
Blackmore explores these ideas within the context of some of the
most successful memes, for example sex; a biological imperative, and a
genetic success, but meme interference leads to birth control, monogamy
and celibacy (social successes, perhaps) - existing sociobiology
theories go some way towards explaining these, a celibate uncle may
protect some of his genes by providing care and resources of nieces and
nephews, for example. But there are holes in these theories, which she
picks apart and then ties up again, with memes.
Blackmore is clear that not everything that looks like a meme is a
meme, and many things can be correctly explained by existing genetic
and sociobiological theories, and she is clear that a second replicator
completes and compliments these theories.
There are memeticists who reject the idea of progress, but Blackmore uses the term to describe the increasing complexity and development of society through time – not progress towards something, just a change over time, without direction or guidance.
In the final chapter of The Meme Machine Blackmore takes this theory to it's natural conclusion and applies memetics to what she calls The Ultimate Memeplex: The Self.
'What am I?' She asks 'Where am I? What do I do?'
Blackmore argues that the most successful memes are ones that have
some element of self in them, for example 'I believe there is a God' is
much more likely to be copied than 'There is a God'. Each time we
imitate a belief, or anything we identify with self, this reinforces
the view that there is something concrete and separate that makes the
choices. Free will is a memetic success says Blackmore, but an illusion.
The behaviour and beliefs we take onboard, are the result of an
evolutionary selection process. Some behaviour is more successful than
others (because it's more compatible with previous behaviour for
example) and the most successful meme? Me.
It's a complex argument, but her theory is strong and supported by neurological evidence. The choices we make are determined by innumerable causes and conditions both memetic and genetic, and our narrative of self is constructed after the event.
Blackmore falls into the language of intent in her conclusion, powerfully so :
"The selfplex is successful not because it is true or good or
beautiful; nor because it helps our genes, or because it makes us
happy. It is successful because the memes that get inside it persuade
us ... to work for their propagation...That is, I suggest, why we all
live our lives as a lie, and sometimes a desperately unhappy and
confused lie. The memes have made us do it – because a self aids their
replication." (233-234)
Blackmore, a Zen practitioner ends her book by suggesting that science
and spirituality 'are often opposed, but should not be.' And suggests
that instead of ascribing to the myth that 'I' have free will we should
have faith in our memes.
"To accept that the selection of genes and memes will determine the action and there is no need for an extra 'me' to get involved. To live honestly I must just get out of the way and allow decisions to make themselves." (244)
Perhaps this, then for Blackmore, is Other Power. A Pyschologist herself she ends by asking what a therapy based on this model might look like – a therapy without self...
Perhaps the memes will decide.
Namo Amida Bu