The Memes Theory

The human brain process material so quickly and the amount that we observe is extremely mind-blowing. One characteristic we have as human beings is we pass down information from one person to the next. Whether it be events, or culture, information continues to be carried on. Some of the information that is passed down is very well known. These imitations are known as memes and the way they get recycled is known as the meme theory. Susan Blackmore discusses the meme theory in her essay “Strange Creatures”. Blackmore talks about how the transmission of memes is almost unavoidable. On the other hand, Lauren Slater talks about implanting neural implants called deep brain stimulation (or DBS for short) to control one’s mood for people who have

Memes are controlling because they get passed down and people circulate them around. Blackmore states “Each of these memes has evolved in its own unique way with its own history, but each of them is using your behavior to get itself copied.” (37). Blackmore is saying that each meme has been created in its own individual way but it ultimately comes down to humans to pass on the imitation. Religion is a meme that is also extremely controlling. Most of our religious views come from our parents until we are least of the age to think for ourselves which does not happen for a long time. Even then, it is difficult as a young adult to believe in different idea than our parents without some form of negative retaliation or conflict. After having a certain idea or belief drilled into our heads for more than a decade it makes sense why so many people stick with what they have been told and refuse to make a change in how they feel, or how they were forced to feel for so long. This also makes it easy to understand why people continue to pass down these beliefs. People will continue to do something until they have a reason not to which is why religion continues to be passed down. This lack of control can also be found in deep brain stimulation. Slater talks about the lack of control that we have when she states “Despite prescription requirements, there is tremendous freedom in being a pill popper….And yet, patients do not, cannot, fully understand, or appreciate, the degree to which, after the surgery, they will be under their doctor’s control” (240). Slater is talking about how much control the doctor will have on the patient once the deep brain stimulation implants are surgically put in. Slater compares deep brain stimulation to prescription; unlike prescriptions where the individuals control how much they consume, the doctor has complete control over what is happening to