What is a meme? A word, so pervasive
Coined by Dawkins, a man, so persuasive
He wrote "The Selfish Team, which introduced the term
Entering the zeitgeist, like a viral worm
The word itself comes from Ancient Greek
The term "mimēma" meaning imitation, see?
Dawkins gave examples of memes in his book
Melodies, catchphrases, and fashion. Look
The word "meme" is autological. It's true
Describing itself. It's a meme too, ooh
Subjective consciousness is hard to understand
That's why Evol and I rock mics in our hands
To talk about science and its advance
Molecular genetics, when we get the chance
Through DNA sequencing's quality
We reveal relationships in philosophy, you see?
Some think it's a joke, making fun of the woke
A goop. Proof, a secret, it's meant to evoke
Proof you are a member of an inside group
You know how to speak, think you know the truth
Amplify conspiracies the reality can't win
The lies and the fantasy became the spin
Taking society with violence made them grin
Not treated like a threat because it seemed fringe
Meme wars, what are they for? Let me repeat that refrain
Meme wars, I must implore. Going take over your brain
Meme wars are culture wars. Can't just scoff or disdain
The latest meme war is not like before
Ending democracy is the campaign
"Meme" is an idea that spreads in many ways
Blossoms on the internet, sets itself ablaze
In the early days, it was humor and light
Made the connection, not worried about polite
Felt an emotion transmitted through space
Creating representation one can't erase
Another person picks it up, it transmits
Good ones feel like a chef's kiss
User generated culture brought catharsis
Forgot to consider the eventual carcass
Old meme is old - they tend to die fast
Power underestimated for some that outlast
Stuck in a reddit hole looking to be entertained
Easy to get scooped into a state of unrestrained
Comic relief to drive the belonging
Just a step away from being used for the warring
Meme wars, what are they for? Let me repeat that refrain
Meme wars, I must implore. Going take over your brain
Meme wars are culture wars. Can't just scoff or disdain
The latest meme war is not like before
Ending democracy is the campaign
It feels like subculture fighting status quo
Being part of this is like wearing a freedom cloak
Meme wars could take us undertow
Stealing our way of life and smothering our soul
Most don't want to admit it's happening
Our culture breaking and it's maddening
Undercurrents clawing at the norm
A few adorned while the rest mourn and scorn
Meme wars, what are they for? Let me repeat that refrain
Meme wars, I must implore. Going take over your brain
Meme wars are culture wars. Can't just scoff or disdain
The latest meme war is not like before
Ending democracy is the campaign
Meme wars, what are they for? Let me repeat that refrain
Meme wars, I must implore. Going take over your brain
Meme wars are culture wars. Can't just scoff or disdain
The latest meme war is not like before
Ending democracy is the campaign
Shout out to the authors of the book Meme Wars
This song was inspired by that book
And "Meme Wars are culture wars"
Is my favorite quote from it
Thank you Joan Donovan, Emily Dreyfuss
And Brian Friedberg
