New Year, New Meme

In my pre-college life, I never before had heard the term "meme" or even "trope." "Theme" was a common enough question to encounter on an English test, and one word (i.e. theme) should be enough. Trope and theme are also similar, but I'm intrigued by the idea of a meme. According to the cursory research afforded by Wikipedia and the definition by Richard Dawkins it gives, a meme is a cultural idea or embodiment that is subject to evolution. That is intriguing - an idea that can be passed from person to person and evolves as it goes. It is either the most brilliant thing I have ever heard, or the most astute articulation of the obvious.

In my mind, it still seems reminiscent of a theme. I imagine the nascence of the term "meme" to have arisen in a literature class where the professor wanted to discuss the themes that were present in the work the class was currently examining. And instead of discussing the themes, the professor wanted to discuss himself, the 'me,' as a theme. With self-gratifying syncretism, it became the "meme" - the theme of oneself. It is so Walt Whitman-esque.

Earlier today, I stumbled upon McSweeney's Internet Tendency. I have only a few things to say about it - I was enchanted by the ease and flow of the words as they tumbled over my web browser. Like a moth attracted to the scintillating glow of the lamp, "Open Letters to People or Entities Who Are Unlikely to Respond" revved the engine of my imagination. My imagination and I decided that we would challenge either and widen the range of our writing and thinking abilities.

This might be the only time in my life I lament the fact I have never been a cashier. It might be an interesting opportunity for writing: noticing and commenting on the things people buy. This afternoon at the grocer's, I purchased two jugs of orange juice, two gallons of ice cream - one vanilla, the other mint chocolate chip - and a shrimp platter. What was I going to do with that? Make smoothie-shake from the ice cream and orange juice, then use it as a cocktail sauce for the shrimp? I think not. This deserves more cogitation.


An image of Bodhidharma, "That I may time transcend, that a universe my heart may unfold" by Takahashi Murakami for delectation.