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this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024
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lol a meme is literally just an idea.
Free exchange of ideas is the core concept of democracy.
Exactly, and the report uses the term "memetic" to distinguish from its frequent use to mean "image macro". Unfortunately the article headline chose to confuse things.
The article body does a good job covering the topic, its a shame they chose such a clumsy headline.
Image memes were never the only memes in internet lingo, and the original Dawkins term is exactly how they're using it, as the analogue for gene, but with ideas generally. That's all fine.
But that makes their core concept "people might spread ideas we don't like".
So how would that even be justiciable?
Thought-crime
Is this just trying to say 'propaganda' (latin participle for "things that should be disseminated") with fancier words?
Therefore, may I say, the free exchange of ideas poses a threat to the US financial system. May I add "It always was".
Would you say that memes(in the sense of ideas with memetic properties that allow it to spread virally with great efficiency) such as QAnon or antivax, are they good for a democratic society? How about meme complexes(a collection of memes) like fascism or authoritarian ideologies? Don't get me wrong, exchange of ideas are good, but there are certain memes and ideas that must be argued against and fought, perhaps with our own memes and meme complexes. And if these memes and ideas are made less viable in terms of their ability to spread from the vaccine of counterargument and counter memery, then I say that's good.
Argued against, absolutely.
It cannot be a democracy if they're prevented from being able to share any ideas, insane or not.
I think there's a limit to that though, infohazards like how to make a bomb from common household materials and the like for example. In fact, the show mythbusters once made an episode about this exact topic, and they thank God, decided that it'd be responsible to censor/not air one of the tests they had conducted as it would be harmful if such information got out. Statistically, you know a few people would've tried out that recipe and blown their fingers off or something. I'm pretty sure I know what that compound was, and it's the same explosive that basically got the TSA banning liquid containers over 100mls or some shit.