An Internet meme is a hijacking of the original idea. Instead of

Host: The room feels quiet, but there's a sense of intrigue in the air as Jack and Jeeny sit together, reflecting on Richard Dawkins' words. The concept of memes—both biological and cultural—has always sparked curiosity, and in this context, Dawkins' take on internet memes offers a unique perspective. Jack leans forward slightly, his mind clearly engaged with the idea.

Jeeny: "Richard Dawkins once said, 'An Internet meme is a hijacking of the original idea. Instead of mutating by random change and spreading by a form of Darwinian selection, Internet memes are altered deliberately by human creativity. There is no attempt at accuracy of copying, as with genes—and as with memes in their original version.' It’s an interesting way to think about internet memes, isn’t it? We often think of memes as these funny, viral things, but Dawkins is suggesting that they’re a form of creative manipulation rather than natural evolution. What do you think he’s getting at with that idea?"

Jack: He nods thoughtfully, clearly intrigued by the comparison Dawkins is drawing. "I think what Dawkins is saying is that memes, in the internet sense, aren’t bound by the same rules as biological or even cultural memes. They’re not just randomly evolving through some natural selection process. Instead, they’re deliberately altered by human creativity, often to fit a specific context or make a point. It’s almost like a collaborative form of mutation, where the original idea is reimagined and reshaped to serve a different purpose. In that way, internet memes aren’t just about spreading an idea—they’re about changing the idea itself."

Jeeny: "That’s a good point. Internet memes are like a kind of cultural remix. They take an idea, a phrase, or an image, and completely turn it on its head. It’s like they're not just passing along information—they're using it as a canvas for personal expression. There’s no attempt to maintain accuracy or preserve the original idea in the same way genetic memes do. Instead, memes are reshaped, reinterpreted, and recreated based on human creativity, humor, or commentary. It’s a more intentional form of mutation, where the changes are meant to be playful, satirical, or just simply entertaining." She grins a little, clearly enjoying the idea. "In a sense, memes are like the ultimate form of cultural adaptation—taking what’s familiar and making it something new."

Jack: "Exactly. And that’s what makes internet memes so interesting. They’re a form of cultural communication, but they’re not bound by the traditional rules of information transmission. Memes often spread because they resonate with people’s experiences, ideas, or emotions, but the reason they’re so viral is because they’re constantly evolving. The internet allows for quick edits, rapid changes, and a kind of viral collaboration. The beauty of it is that it’s not just about the idea being copied—it’s about the idea being transformed by countless individuals, all of whom contribute their own interpretation." He smiles slightly, as if pondering the process. "It’s almost like we’re collectively writing a shared story, but with each meme being its own chapter, constantly changing."

Jeeny: "I love that analogy—the idea that memes are a shared story in constant evolution. The way they’re created and shared makes them part of a larger narrative, one that’s always shifting and adapting. But there’s also something deeply social about it. Memes rely on the collective understanding of a community. It’s about inside jokes, references, and shared experiences that connect people in ways other forms of communication don’t." She pauses, her eyes lighting up. "It’s like memes are the perfect representation of our digital age—fast, ever-changing, and reflective of the collective creativity of the online world."

Jack: "Right. They’re a mirror of the internet itself—constantly moving, constantly evolving, and full of new ideas and layers. What’s fascinating about memes, though, is that they’re not just passive—they’re interactive. People don’t just consume memes; they create them, edit them, and contribute their own spin. It’s like a form of digital collaboration that constantly redefines itself. And that creativity is what fuels their viral nature. The more unique, funny, or relatable the transformation, the more likely it is to spread." He smiles again, clearly enjoying the idea of it. "It’s a really fascinating form of cultural evolution, in its own right."

Host: The room feels charged with the understanding that memes, while seemingly light-hearted or humorous, are much more than just jokes or viral content. They represent a deeper layer of communication—one that reflects the ever-changing, collective creativity of society. Jack and Jeeny both realize that Dawkins’ comparison of internet memes to biological ones isn’t just about the spread of ideas, but the transformation of those ideas, driven by human creativity and social connection.

As the evening continues, their conversation lingers in the space between them, a reminder that in the world of digital communication, memes are not just funny little distractions—they are part of a larger, ever-evolving cultural conversation, shaped by the collective creativity of people across the globe.