A meme is an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person, generation to generation within a culture.
Lately I have thought about whether we as a society are still able to pass down culture to our children. I mean, I don’t come from another country, speak another language, or have a strong cause to believe in. I’m just plain old me. And I wonder, as a parent, do I have a strong enough influence over my children to pass something down to them? Am I capable of preserving my memes?
First of all, I should point out that memes are sort of like genes, except genes are automatically passed down, very easily, through childbirth. I look at the faces of my children and I say, “Yup, that was easy … looks just like me, they’ve got my genes!” Passing down my memes, not as easy. Passing down memes is not automatic. Memes must be taught, experienced, learned, demonstrated, and valued. Passing down memes takes effort.
Are parents putting forth the effort to pass them down? Right now it seems like the influence of technology is stronger than a parent’s influence in attempting to pass down culture.
Children idolize their computers, televisions, and iTouch as the, “Wise Ones” who will pass down wisdom and knowledge and spread culture. I appreciate the global connection and closeness such devices have given us to the outside world, but what about the world within our own homes and communities? Parents need to win back the power over these devices that spread the dominant meme of, “buy and consume.” Parents be warned! Memes should not be about, what is bought, used, and consumed.
As a result, I fear that a loss of passing down our cultural memes might be lost. Therefore, I have decided to make a conscious effort to pass along my memes with my own two hands.
I have thought long and hard about what I have to offer my children on this subject of passing down my memes. What do I consider important to pass down?
I sat with my daughters the other night and we made a list of some memes that were passed down as we performed together in a musical theater show. The recent experience of performing together was definitely fun and brought us closer together. But it was also an opportunity for me to pass down some memes.
