I haven't read any of Dawkin's work but from what I have looked up the concept of a meme and how the word is currently being used don't quite match. I'm trying to figure out if that's just a misconception on my part or if the word is being used liberally.

My understanding is that a meme was something of an ambiguous idea put into your head. Like for instance if your in a building and suddenly everyone starts to run towards the exit you start thinking that something horrible is happening. Perhaps as a young teen you go to your first party and right there in front of everyone someone is casually using a bong. You seem a bit shocked at first but when you look around and realize your friends are completely ignoring it you get the idea in your head that its perfectly normal.
Those are the kinds of things I think of when I see the word meme not something like lolcats or 'don't taze me brow' which seems better defined as a trend, fad, or internet flavor of the week.


Some clarification please

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

meme is a buzzword for culture, to make you sound smart and sell books.

MAIM!

It was half-useful, but has been co-opted for this purpose to the point of irrelevance.

It's like "interface" "tipping point" and all the other crapola people say to sound like they know what they are talking about when they don't.

"Define for me a meme ?" I thought all Jedi Knights knew this already ?